tina'

that drowned out everything but the fra

ck with sweat under the weight of Raffae

as usually alive with clanging metal and bar

ke. All eyes were locked on the

led with unsp

presence a shield as his men swiftl

rough the silence like a blade. "Tullio Ca

nto a sneer. "Nor I, Raffaele. Sta

ring within them. "Doesn't look that way, Tullio.

yes flashe

terrupting her day, along with her friend's peace,

And any enemy of hers is mine as well. Perhaps

ive, and laced with a warnin

amily as your enemy, Tullio?" Raffaele

ances." He flexed his muscles, r

hearing him claim me so publicly stirred something I c

own, their stares lo

d in bloodshed if a sharp wh

d, their footsteps ech

curt gesture, and they melted into th

he called over his shoulder,

is gaze softening into som

e, babe. I'm wa

lovers parting after a casual date, not a ma

worse, slapping her senseless flashed throu

y, Raffaele turned to me,

is tone leaving no room for argumen

ria, who still stood f

so is

ing the car around. Moments later, the sleek silver Lamborghini

ned the door for me, his hand resting li

ried to focus on revenge, to remember why I was here. But his touch burn

cond before sliding inside. The leather seats were cool against my s

ssly, her silence lou

ed to life, we sped away from the souk

uneasy silence as I guided Maria inside. "Maria, come he

e this tea and go to bed. You need rest,

a. Thank you." I nodded, ushering her into one of the lavish

und, pinning me against the wall with a force that stole

y ear. His body pressed too close, sending my pulse

off, his tone sharp with demand. "How do

ng. "He was Maria's ex! I thought he'd finally given up. He

Valentina? You left me so abruptly this morning, teasing me with

game, to entertain your grandfather Domenico and grandmother Giu

'd make such a grand entrance last night and steal my atte

me spark of heat. I shoved against his chest, forcing

hands lingering a moment to

ive it to you." He smirked wi

use distance wi

hat you want,

is voice dro

icked smile cu

ou'll miss me

breath as he'd used my ow

ugh the tension. Raffaele ans

iver? You found

eath

d found

that dangerous smirk

I need you for this

ung in the air

to argue, but he

, orichalcum, all of it. But men like Tullio don't play fair, and I've got the fi

hard. "I'l

a backer, even if his name was R