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“I wanted you to know that there was at least one person who thought she was being ridiculous.”
“I know what it cost me. And I’d pay that same damn price again and again if it means I can keep you safe.”
“But I do. I know that I chose you. Despite everything stacked against us, I chose you. I love you. I spent a decade forgetting how to love someone, and yet a few weeks with you is all it took for me to learn it all again.” His laugh is humorless. “You are the air I breathe. You are the ground that keeps me standing. Without you, I’m nothing, Gemma.”
“Ras told me I was enough for him, but I didn’t believe him.”
“I never should have left him. You’re right, Cleo. I should have been brave and stayed. He loved me, and I broke his heart because I was so damn scared that one day, he’d regret sacrificing so much for me. I was so insecure and so worried about the future that I completely missed what was right in front of me. He and I could have had a family together. We would have been happy. Instead, I fucked everything up.”
“Like I’d just delivered myself to him on a platter. I gave him my secret. I thought he’d threaten to use it against me, but he hasn’t so far. He knows I’m a virgin.”
I haven’t said this to Cleo, because she’d tell me I’m imagining it, but there’s something strange in how Rafaele behaves around my sister. He looks at her the way he’s never looked at me.
I don’t know Rafaele very well, but I’m convinced of one thing. If he accepts my offer, he won’t let Cleo come to any harm. And maybe, just maybe, their match will fare better than mine and Rafaele’s ever could.
“I fully intend to take care of my wife.” Before he turns away, I catch something darkly possessive swirling inside his gaze. Something that makes my breath catch.
Nero laughs, but he’s the only one who seems to find the situation funny. There isn’t another smile to be found in the room.
“I’m aware there are rumors floating around about my future wife. Good thing they’re completely unfounded. From now on, anyone who speaks a word of them will lose their tongue. Have I made myself clear, Uncle?”
“Leaving you was a mistake. The worst mistake of my life. I couldn’t stand the thought of you losing everything for me, but now I see that I should have trusted you to make that decision for yourself. I was scared, Ras. So scared that you’d wake up one day and realize I wasn’t worth it. You told me I was enough, but I didn’t believe you.”
“Cazzo. I can’t believe this. Do you know how badly I wished to have you back in my arms? Not an hour’s gone by without me thinking about you. I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“I’ll make it right, Dem. As long as you don’t try to keep me away from my woman, I’ll make all of this shit right.”
“Okay, it’s a lot more impressive in person, but it’s a location in the Chiaia neighborhood in Naples that would be perfect for an art gallery.” She shoots a pointed look at one of my recent paintings on the wall. "What do you think?"
This world can be seductive. Its darkness has a unique allure that pulls people in. But, even in that darkness, there's light. Bright, and warm, and beautiful. I snuggle up to Ras. For me, that light is him.
