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“We?” he asked quietly, with an edge that sliced through the air.

I didn’t answer and he took one step forward.

“I wanted to meet your houseguest,” he said, his gaze shifting to Larissa again. “The one you've been keeping secret for, what is it now, two months?”

My blood ran cold. “It wasn’t a secret—”

“Please, Giovanni,” he scoffed, using my full name the way he did when he was truly angry. “Did you really think I wouldn't notice? Wouldn't investigate why my brother was suddenly bringing a woman to family gatherings? Reporting late with updates?”

Larissa shifted uncomfortably beside me, sensing the tension.

“I was handling it all,” I said carefully.

Caspian's laugh was sharp. “Personal, indeed.” He turned his attention fully to Larissa now, giving her a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “Larissa Ajello. Sister to Gastone, Carlo, and Dino Ajello.”

Larissa froze behind me. “How do you know who I am?” she whispered.

“Unlike the rest of my family, I don't allow a pretty face to distract me from conducting proper research,” Caspian replied. He pulled out his phone, swiping to display a photo before turning it toward us. “Family gathering two weeks ago. You were there, and I had to find out who you were when I learned you’ve been living here.”

“I…I…” Larissa was at a loss for words, and I took another step forward, shielding her from view. This explanation wasn’t for her to bear.

“Have you lost your fucking mind?” Caspian's voice rose as he turned back to me, his mask of politeness dropping entirely. “Playing house with an enemy's sister? What exactly was your plan here, Gio?”

“It's not what you think,” I started, though I wasn't entirely sure what he thought.

“No? Then explain why Gastone’s sister is living in your home when her family has been trying to undermine our operations for years!” He was shouting now, losing his grip. “Have you forgotten who you are? What we stand for?”

“I haven't forgotten anything,” I snapped back, my own temper rising to meet his. “But there are things you don't know.”

“Then enlighten me,” he hissed, stepping closer. “Because from where I'm standing, this looks like a foolish mistake.”

The accusation stung, all the more because Caspian and I had never been at odds like this before.

“Do you remember the arms shipment to Europe that was delayed?” I asked, choosing my words carefully. “It wasn't an operational mistake; the Ajellos planted a bomb.”

Caspian's eyes narrowed. “And you kept this from me?”

I took a deep breath. “I didn’t want to bother you on your honeymoon. I handled it, and then I saw Larissa following me.”

“And you did what exactly?”

“I handled it,” I said firmly.

“Handled it how?”

I hesitated, then decided the full truth was the only way forward. “I took her.”

Caspian's eyes widened. “You kidnapped an Ajello,” he repeated slowly. “And you... what? Decided to make her your live-in girlfriend?”

Put like that, it sounded insane even to my own ears. But it wasn’t that simple now, was it?

“It's complicated,” I said finally.

“Complicated,” Caspian echoed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Well, Brother, you've certainly made things complicated now. Do you have any idea what will happen when the Ajellos discover their precious daughter is in the hands of the Lebedevs?”

Chapter 18 - Larissa

I stood behind Gio, watching Caspian and him argue. The fact that the brothers were fighting over me tugged at my chest like a suffocating rope. I hovered in the doorway, watching Caspian lash out at Gio, and the way they spoke was enough to let me know they’d forgotten I was even there.