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“Me? Genuinely nice?” I scoffed.

“I’ve known you for a very long time to know that you are. Taking the Don title as early as you did may have changed parts of you but don’t let it change what you used to want.”

“And what did I want?” I asked, forgetting what I used to feel and desire before the vendetta clouded it all.

“You wanted to have a life like your parents had, a wife who was your equal, and children who ran to you as soon as you came home, just like you did with your father.” The mention of my father left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“My parents' marriage wasn’t the best, Red, and you know that.” I said. “My mother deserved so much more.”

“Just like Ana does.” He smiled, loving the fact he was right.

“I know that.” I knew she deserved the whole world and more. She deserved a husband that worshiped the ground she walked on. A husband that would burn the world for her. A husband that treated her as though she was the only person in the world.

“We’ll handle everything here. You take her away for a few days and forget about everything else.” He slapped his thighs as he stood, readying himself to leave. “I’ll try and speak to her, but I can’t promise anything, mate.”

“I know.” I nodded in agreement and thanks as he left me alone with my thoughts.

My parents’ marriage had once been amazing. My father idolised my mother. Made her feel as though she was everything, but over time he slipped up on many occasions. He slept around, not caring whether she knew or not, and made her feel as though he was her keeper. Like she was no longer his equal.

Him being Don was his life. We never seemed to come close in importance or matter as much as that did. I should’ve hated the man but I couldn’t. I wanted him to set my mother free in the end but not in the way it happened. Despite the humiliation and upset she felt when he fucked other women, she was still heartbroken from his death. I think the only reason I wanted to avenge him was because he was my father, nothing else. I didn’t want to seem weak, didn’t want people to think I let it slide. But being here now, I wasn’t sure what I wanted anymore.

I wasn’t sure if Victor was telling the truth about my father or if he was lying to save himself, but I’d find out. I always did. If my father did in fact betray his best friend, he hid it well.

“Lorenzo?” I glanced up, seeing Ana standing at the door, watching me with gentle eyes.

“Ana.” I pushed back my chair, patting my knee. “Come here, wife.”

“I wasn’t sure I’d hear that again…” She sighed but quickly smiled to cover the frown that almost graced her face.

“What? Me calling you wife?”

“Yeah… That.” She crossed the office. I was so sure she’d sit on the desk opposite me, despite my gesture. But she didn’t. She perched herself on my knee, her eyes meeting mine.

“So, why aren’t you in bed? Thomas said you needed rest.”

“Lorenzo, I can’t lie in bed all day. I’ll drive myself mad,” she complained. “Besides, I wanted to see what it is that you do holed up in here all day.”

“Well, actually nothing today.” I leaned into her, my hands resting on her thighs as a familiar discomfort settled in my chest at the sight of her bruises.

“It’s fine,” she reassured me, but it wasn’t fine. It was anything but fine.

I paused for a second, looking at her and remembering how she looked last night in my arms. So peaceful and strong, yet with a hint of vulnerability. I sacrificed a lot with her for vengeance. Revenge didn’t seem so important anymore.

“Lorenzo… I need to know, do you still want to kill Victor? Or are you ready to let it go?” she asked with no emotion. It was as though the love she had for her father was slipping away and all she wanted were answers.

I took her hand in mine, letting my thumb trace circles on her palm. “I don’t want to think about our fathers right now,” I said gently. “I just want to focus on us, and our marriage. The rest can wait.”

“And I get that, I do, but we need to talk about your thirst for revenge. There are things you don’t know, things I overheard all those years ago, things I think you deserve to know.” She sighed as she brushed away the hair that fell across my forehead.

“Not right now, though.” I leaned into her, capturing her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “Right now, I want to kiss my wife.”

Her cheeks blushed a soft rosy pink, adding a warmth to her complexion. Her lips parted ever so slightly, as if silently granting permission, a subtle invitation to draw me closer. I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers, feeling the electric connection as our tongues danced and intertwined with a fervent intensity. She let out a breathy moan, a gentle melody that resonated against my lips and sent a shiver down my spine.

Her fingers wove through my hair, pulling me closer with an urgency that matched the rhythm of my hands as they trailed upher back. I could feel the rapid drum of her heartbeat against her chest as I deepened our kiss, savouring every moment. Her tongue danced with mine, a tantalising stroke that left me lost in the intoxicating taste of her, the warmth of her embrace, and the gradual surrender she offered so willingly. My teeth gently grazed her lower lip, eliciting a soft, breathless gasp—the most exquisite sound I had ever heard. I desired her before, but never like this. My hands glided down to her ass, and she whimpered into my mouth, a sweet, soft sound that resonated deep within me.

“I’m taking you away, wife.” I smiled as I reluctantly pulled away, resting my forehead against hers.

“Away? Where?” she gasped, the excitement on her face enough to tell me I made the right decision.