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“Emilia,” Marco grunted.

She came again, even harder this time, releasing a scream of pure ecstasy.

I followed and felt Marco shatter next.

She dropped her forehead against my chest as we pulled out, then wrapped her legs around my waist.

“Better than the dream?” Marco teased as he pushed her hair off one shoulder and gently kissed it once.

She drew her tongue slowly across her bottom lip, her eyes aflame with temptation, catching her breath. “I don’t know. We’ll have to try again to be sure.”

CHAPTER 23

Emilia

A few days away from Alessio was the mental reset I needed. Being with Derek and Marco pulled me back down to reality and into my body.

The night at the club threw me. Having guns aimed at me when I was wholly unprepared should have been a training scenario, not something that made me freeze.

I’d been through so much worse. I’d escaped deadly situations. I took out any threat without hesitation.

I was a fucking badass.

But Millie was not.

I couldn’t slip so far into that mindset that I let fear and panic take control. Never again.

When I got the invitation to a beach party from Alessio two days ago, I was ready to get back to work.

“Ready?” Derek asked as we pulled up to the beachfront restaurant Alessio’s party had taken over.

“Yes.”

I slid my purse over my shoulder as our car stopped in front of the entrance. A valet attendant opened my door and helped me out. Derek stayed behind. Alessio promised the afternoon would be much quieter, and his security would watch over me.

It should have reassured me, but it only made my goal more difficult. I’d have to be extra discrete if more eyes would be on me.

Ama was waiting for me, looking like a goddess in a flowy white dress with a plunging neckline. “There you are!”

She pulled me in for a hug before taking my hand and guiding us through the entrance. “You look delicious!”

I laughed, caught off by the compliment. “I do?”

“Yes, my poor brother is going to struggle to keep things PG in front of everyone.”

I hadn’t thought my sea foam crepe dress was much of a show-stopper. It had a high slit that stopped at my hip, leaving me with the only option of a very high-cut thong for underwear. The top was relatively modest, a sleeveless boatneck with an open back.

If Ama told me it was okay to wear only a bikini, I would have. It was too hot, and we were too close to the water to be in real clothes.

“Let me show you around.” She looped her arms through mine, smiling and waving at the guests we passed.

I saw Sergio and Terrance, but Cristiano was missing. “Where’s Alessio?”

“Oh, one of his associates wanted to meet with him quickly,” she dismissed my question with a wave, so I didn’t press. “See that couple across the pool?”

She turned in to face me, so her back was to them.

“The blonde woman in the red jumpsuit?”