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“Francesco, we need a pickup,” I said, glancing around to get my bearings. “A few blocks west of the venue, near Via della Spada. Can you be here in five minutes?”
“Yes,signore,” he replied. “I’m on my way.”
“Good,” I said, ending the call and turning back to Sofia. “Francesco will be here soon. We’ll lay low for a bit and in thattime, we figure out our next move.” I pulled her in close to me and wound my arm around her waist.
We waited in silence for a few moments, the sounds of the city around us slowly returning to normal. I kept my eyes on the street, watching for Francesco’s car, feeling Sofia’s presence beside me, warm and temptingly inviting.
When the sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb, I opened the door, gesturing for Sofia to get in. She slid inside, and I followed, closing the door behind me. Francesco glanced at me in the rearview mirror, his expression neutral.
“Where to,signore?” he asked.
“Take us home,” I demanded.
My Sofia had seen too much danger and tonight, I needed to put my hands all over her and make sure she was alright.
Tomorrow, I’d focus on Raffaele. From the shipments to the kidnapping, to the security breach, to the bombing, I’d figure it all out.
For now, my focus was Sofia.
Her and only her.
CHAPTER 19
Sofia
As the car pulled away from the burning chaos behind us, I felt the tension in my body slowly begin to ease. Massimo sat close beside me, his eyes scanning me up and down with a mix of concern and something more—something deeper, more intense.
His hands reached for me immediately, his touch firm yet gentle as he ran his palms over my arms, down my sides, checking for injuries once again.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice low but insistent. His fingers brushed over my skin, sending shivers through me despite the heat still radiating from the wreckage outside.
“I’m fine,” I managed to whisper, my voice a little breathless. “Just a few scratches, nothing serious.”
He didn’t seem convinced. His hands continued their search, moving to my legs, my shoulders, his touch becoming more insistent. I could feel the heat of his fingers even through thethin fabric of my dress, his eyes searching mine for any sign of pain or discomfort.
“Massimo,” I murmured, feeling a strange mix of nervousness and excitement bubbling up inside me. “Really, I’m okay…”
His gaze locked onto mine, and I saw the concern in his eyes flicker into something darker, more possessive.
“I need to be sure,” he said softly, his hands lingering on my waist. “I need to know you’re safe.”
I felt a warmth spread through my chest at his words, a flutter of emotion I couldn’t quite name. I reached up, resting my hand over his, my thumb tracing small circles against his skin.
“I’m safe,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of the car engine.
His eyes darkened, and his hands moved to cup my face, his thumb brushing across my cheek, smudging away some of the soot that I knew had settled there. His touch sent a spark through me, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.
“You were so brave back there,” he murmured, his voice rough, filled with a raw emotion I hadn’t heard before. “You didn’t have to stay and help, but you did.”
My heart swelled at the intensity in his voice. “I didn’t want to leave anyone behind,” I replied softly.
His expression softened, and his thumb continued its gentle caress across my skin. “You have no idea how much you mean to me,” he whispered, leaning in closer, his breath warm against my lips. “How much I need you.”
The air between us seemed to thicken, charged with something electric. My heart pounded in my chest as he drew closer, his forehead resting against mine. I could feel his breath, warm and uneven, mixing with my own.
“Massimo,” I breathed, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and longing. “I…”
Before I could finish, his lips were on mine, firm and demanding, claiming me in a way that left no room for hesitation. I melted into him, my hands finding their way to his chest, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart beneath my palms. The kiss deepened, his mouth moving against mine with a hunger that matched the wild rhythm of my pulse.