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“It’s a game, and fast thinkers will always come out on top.” He looks over at me. “I can take that if it’s bothering you.” He nods his head towards the ring I’m still fiddling with.

“No,” I snap, clutching my hand to my chest. “I’ve got it. It’s fine.”

Chapter forty-two

Antonio

Ireclinebackinmyoffice chair, exhausted. My palms rub my eyes until they stop stinging from staring at the same set of numbers for the last couple of hours.

The door to my office cracks open, and I pause my actions to take a peek of the person.

Theá beams as she pokes her head into the room. “Are you busy?”

“Never too busy for you. What’s up, tesoro?” I drop my hands to the armrest of the office chair.

“I just wanted to check in on you. You’ve been in here for a while without a break,” she says as she closes the door, padding her way over to me.

Her curls bounce on her shoulder as she skips across the soft, plush carpet, rounding the desk and coming to a stop in front of me.

Happiness radiates off her in waves, and as she smiles, I can’t help but mirror the action.

Reaching forward, I wrap my hands around her thighs and pull her until she’s seated on my lap. I rest my head on her chest and inhale her sweet, vanilla scent.

“Long day?”

“Hmm,” I hum in response, letting relaxation envelop me as her fingers gently massage my scalp.

“Too many numbers?”

“So many.”

“You’re so smart,” she purrs, and my head shoots back. It’s not a compliment I receive all too often, especially since it’s just assumed I am because of my job. It’s often something that’s taken for granted.

I reach up and push some of her hair out of her face, allowing my hand to just linger on her cheek.

“Tell me you love me,” I say.

Her eyes widen as she searches my face, like my expression alone will tell her I’m joking. “What? No.”

“C’mon, tesoro. Tell me you love me so I can die with a smile.” I can feel my eyes growing heavier and heavier as the seconds tick past. “Please,” I beg.

“Fuck, fine. I love you, and I’m sorry,” she blurts. Her hands cup both sides of my face as she tries to shake me awake.

I smirk as my eyes completely fall shut. “I knew it.”

“You’re such a little shit,” she says through her giggles.

“A little shit that you love.”

Cold water crashes over my head, and I sit up, gasping.

“Cazzo,” I groan as the pain rushes in a second later.

I wipe my eyes and try to use whatever dampness is left to remove the crusted blood on my face. My nose is swollen and feels very fucking skew I gently touch it, noticing just how odd the angle is.

“Wakey, wakey,” Kylian’s voice echoes through the room. It’s a different room now, one with wooden floors and what seems like a window.

Definitely above ground this time.