hat threw long, flickering shadows across the walls. The night air was thick wi

er like a second skin. The events of the day, her father's betrayal, Maria'

low murmur. "You can stay in this r

ay for a moment, eyes tracing her face, memorizing every bruise, every flicker of pain s

, Max," sh

rned away before the tempta

as the opposite, raw, volatil

through the warehouse like a whip. "Di

ds. "I did, Boss... but the bitc

hy we're not se

ve been dislodged, m

into the wall. De Marco's fury filled the air like thunder. "Goddammit!" His roar echoed

His throat tightened with the weight of a

ed back at him, cold, cruel, hungry. "If Massimo Morelli thinks he can keep her safe," he hissed, "he's a fool." He wanted

es of wine. The night hummed softly through the open balcony doors

oose over her shoulders. The bruised mark on her cheek still

mo asked, his tone soft

my mind," s

oward the cou

rved faintl

wo plates from the fr

it up. "My

It's mine too. The coo

light. They sat opposite each other, silent at first, the tension between the

setting her fork down, "I nee

f his mouth twitching. "You w

his, when you're with me, you're safe." The words were both promise and warning. He kissed her f

own the hall. Massimo watched until her door clicked shut. Then, ding, the doorbell s

a hunt for Talana. Word is, her father promised her to him i

I know about the agreement. She told me." His voice dropp

ng crystal sharp and angry. "She's been through hell under th

gh the tall windows, streaking across the marble

e kitchen, where Massimo stood shirtless, tattoos half-hidden beneath the hem of a loose to

, a faint smirk curvi

a mug from his hand, h

said, nodding to the co

softly. "Yo

he replied with quiet amusement

bered. "I need to

en I'm coming with you. After that..."

ng there was no r

nzo appeared in the doorway, fa

ze mid-moti

he ce

" He strode out, the sound of his boots echoing through the halls. The air in the

m by the collar. "Who paid you to go after

l, broken sound. "You

e air. Rossi screamed as the b

a deadly whisper. "You have on

weakly. "You've got a rat,

attered across the floor, the metallic scent thick in the air. Massimo's eyes burned cold

g his hands with delib

ump him near De Marco's plac

, Bo

Whoever it is...

mly, signaling to

ng beneath his controlled exterior. "No one

near the kitchen, restless.

ble. "Not now, angel," he said gently, stepping closer. "You're a doctor. Yo

, eyes search

thumb across her chin. "

mitted, "but

m. "Then I'll be right bes

Talana stared out the window

ietly, "thank you.

urmured, sliding his hand over he

uch, breath catching a

e engine, leaving the world outside in near silence. Talana's fingers

ssimo asked, voice low but shar

said without

and, pressing it against his chest, letting her feel the steady beat of his heart

danger waited behind that front door, but she drew strength from him. The warmth of

uld feel his tension radiating through her. Every muscle in his body was coiled, every sense alert. He g

uide her. Together, they stepped inside. The air was heavy, tense. It carried the faint

ipped to the small of her back, guiding her forward, fingers brushing over her waist in a touch that was prot

. "Stay here," he commanded softly, al

hrough the space with calculated precision, scanning, listening, every movement fluid, controlled,

every inch of him coiled like a spring ready to snap. He stepped into the corridor first, shielding

ovements lethal, controlled. Talana's breath caught, but she couldn't look away. The man who had

voice was ice, cutting throu

s his features before fear replaced it. "M...

m, the possessiveness in his tone unmistakable. "You thought you could

ding on his forehead. "I... I

him, dark, dangerous, predatory. "You're going to fix this. You're going to tell me everyth

but seeing him cower before Massimo, seeing the fire, the power, the leth

see the storm behind his eyes. "Stay back, angel," he murmured, his hand br

but Massimo moved faster. One hand pressed firmly against her shoulder, pinni

ed everything in this room with sheer presence and force. Talana felt a shiver, the raw mag

Every detail about De Marco, Donatello, Rossi, th

truth began to spill. The full depth of betrayal, the network of threats, the monstr

She glanced at Massimo, who didn't flinch, didn't hesitate, absorbing the truth

l, leaning close so only she could hear. "Every last piece...

g not only from fear but from the intimate proximity, the protective do

s snapped to it, alert, every muscle tensed. Lorenzo's messag

cipated. The predator within Massimo flared, and Talana f

back, fingers lingering on her waist. "We're not done yet. Not by

tion, and desire. The world outside could burn, enemies coul

a knew one thing for certain, with Massimo by her side, she was