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It’s the only truth I can give her.

Her brows knit together, and for a moment, I see past her anger—the flicker of hurt that echoes what we had before. I want to reach out and smooth away those lines of frustration on her face. But touching her could break everything I’ve built around myself.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” she fires back, voice sharper than before. “And don’t act like you care.”

I flinch at that word—care—because it strikes a nerve deep inside me. This woman standing before me was someone I cared about once—someone I still care about—someone I thought about more than I’d ever let on.

“I do care,” I admit reluctantly, leaning forward as if closing the gap between us will somehow bring clarity to this mess. “But like I said, my life is complicated.”

Eve crosses her arms again as if warding off my confession while digging deeper into my mind—a tactical move I can’t help but respect. “Complicated? Or cowardly?”

I draw in another breath, trying to tame the wildfire raging inside me while balancing on this thin line between temptation and the need for distance. She deserves honesty. It’s only fair given how she got tossed aside without explanation.

But how do I explain what runs through my veins—the instincts honed by years spent surviving in shadows, working for the criminals she fights every single day. How do I explain my every instinct screams at me to protect her from threats looming just beyond these walls?

“This can’t happen between us. Not again,” I finally manage to say, forcing those words past clenched teeth.

Her gaze intensifies as if she’s searching for answers hidden beneath layers of regret and guilt in my eyes. It’s unnerving—and thrilling—seeing that determination flare up again after all this time apart.

“I’m not leaving until you tell me why.” She steps closer again. There’s no mistaking it now—the connection crackles between us like electricity waiting for release.

And God help me if I’m not tempted to give in.

I shovepast the heavy door, heart still hammering from the confrontation. Each step away from Eve feels like a betrayal, a cruel twist of fate I can’t afford to dwell on.

My mind races like a wild stallion as I navigate through the thrumming crowd of the club, attempting to shake off the heat from her fiery gaze.

Despite the distance each step puts between us, the weight of her presence still lingers. Just knowing she’s in my club reignites the chemistry we shared. But none of that matters considering the irreversible damage I did destroyed any chance we’d have.

Needing a distraction, I find my brother Sebastian leaning against the bar, nursing a whiskey on the rocks, that charming grin plastered across his face.

“Zeke!” He looks up and raises his glass in salute. “Was that Olivia Vitale I saw Eli leading to one of the back rooms?”

My stomach twists at the thought of her name rolling off his tongue like it’s just another casual comment. “Yeah,” I grunt.

Seb raises an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Didn’t know she was in Columbus.”

“She shouldn’t be here,” I say. “Where Olivia goes, trouble follows.”

Seb waggles his brows. That stupid grin on his face growing.

I glare at my brother, knowing all too well what he’s thinking. “Don’t get any ideas.”

He always had a thing for Olivia, but she was already spoken for. Her father arranged her marriage to another mafia leader before she was old enough to talk.

“Heard Nicolo finally allowed her to ditch Vinny,” he says like that makes his impure thoughts about Olivia okay.

It doesn’t.

“Something feels off about that.” The words come out sharper than intended, slicing through the control I have on my emotions. Eve’s effect on me is digging deeper.

He shrugs, unfazed by my inner turmoil. “C’mon, man. You’ve seen how hot she is. Now that she’s free, maybe it’s time for me to get in there and—”

“Leave her alone.” I pin him with a look meant to remind him we don’t cross those lines—not with women who’ve survived what Olivia has gone through. She may have divorced Vinny but that doesn’t mean he has let her go. In his mind, she’s still his property, his mafia princess. That’s how the mafia works.

Seb chuckles again, but this time it has an edge of defiance mixed with amusement. “Oh, come on! She’s single now. What’s wrong with exploring new opportunities?”

“Are you really that stupid?” My patience thins with every passing second. “She had a shitshow marriage to one of the cruelest men we know. If he found out, he’d be out for blood. Besides, just because she’s divorced doesn’t mean she’s looking for someone like you.”