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“Another scar,” I sigh.

He shakes his head at me before he pulls me to his chest, kissing my forehead softly. “You’re fucking perfect. That’s what you are.”

I look up at him, and witnessing all the love shining in his eyes undoes me.

“Leave, Enzo.” The only person who will die tonight is me and my past.

“Not without you.”

Stubborn.

“There are more coming. I need you to focus on bringing us somewhere safe. You won’t die tonight. Fuck if I will allow you to die at all.”

His confidence, soaked with determination, warms my chest. My heart, which has been slowly withering away since I left him, blossoms back to life.

He takes a glance at Augustus. “I see you had your fun.”

“Your father knew.”

Disappointment etches on his stoic face. “I know.”

We can’t change the past and yet I want this to remain our secret. He and my brother manage to lead a joint organization, but with everything happening, their bond is being put to the test.

Guards are outside, their foot stomping and hushed conversations betray their positions as they try to get in. Quickly, I press the panic button under the desk, and I drag him behind a statue that guards a wall leading to a corridor. I can hear the men behind the walls, preparing explosives even though that won’t help either.

The dark, hidden passage brings us in behind them and Enzo and I open fire. Bullets spit out in an endlesstrr. The twelve men drop dead. High on the adrenaline that pumps through our blood, it sharpens our focus, making us feel invincible. We fight for survival, taking as many guards down as we can. Blood covers us, making it difficult to know if it’s ours or theirs.

Then, I guide him toward the tunnel that leads to a canal where an escape boat waits for us. Chests heaving, we exhale loudly as I navigate it.

In the distance, sirens ring out, but we have the night on our side, providing us cover. I maneuver the boat through the canals while the water and streets fill with police and guards of the Council. Stealthily, I dodge the danger with the engine running low, evading capture by not using any lights and bringing us to my safe house.

I don’t care about anything but stripping him bare to check how badly injured he is. When I see it’s only some reddish spots as the bulletproof shirt and pants did their job, I instantly calm down.

He does the same to me, but because of my actions, I look in worse shape, and blood oozes from the knife wound. It doesn’t matter. He came for me.

Hurriedly, I undress her, pulling her black jacket and top off until she remains only in her bra. Unpeeling the gauze carefully, I reveal the two-inch cut where the knife slashed her skin. Bruises stretch along her ribs, and the side of her face is a bit swollen, but she’s alive. That is all that matters, and my heartbeats finally return to a regular pattern.

I drag her to my chest by the back of her neck, pressing her to my front as if wanting to glue her to my body so nothing and no one can ever pry her from me.

Wrapping my arms around her, I vow I will never let her go. I will never let this woman out of my sight again.

“Don’t do this shit to me. Never again. Do you hear me?” I demand in a harsh tone, but the tremble in my voice betrays my frayed emotions. “If you’re not in my life, then nothing makes sense. Nothing matters more to me than you.”

She pushes at my chest and gives me a hard look. “Youwere pretty eager to set me free.”

“A mistake.” The biggest one I’ve made.

Once we escape, I will show her what it means to be mine and only fucking mine for the rest of our lives.

Grabbing her hand, I pull her into the bathroom. It’s a small studio apartment with only the necessary amenities—so opposite to the lavish lifestyle she’s used to. I will make sure she only gets the best things in life. For her, I don’t care about expenses, even if they come at the cost of my heart. It’s hers. I am hers entirely.

Gently pushing her on the edge of the tub, a surge of lust springs to life, awakening the potent desire to fuck her senseless. I shove it aside, needing to tend to her. To stop the bleeding and help the healing process, I must suture the gash.

Rummaging through the cabinet, I pick out a sewing kit, disinfectant, and pads, then get on my knees in front of her.

She giggles. “I like you on your knees for me.”

I seek her eyes, needing her to see how earnest I am. “I haven’t risen since I met you. You put me on my knees, and I will die serving you.”