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As soon as we step inside, the room feels…smaller. The air shifts, thickening with the intensity of what has just happened between us.
Mikhail’s hand lingers on the small of my back for only a moment before he drops his hand, allowing me to step further into the room.
At first, I never wanted it, but now, their touch is comforting, grounding even. It’s a silent promise that I’m never truly alone, not when they’re both here with me.
I sit on the edge of the bed, my hands immediately going to my sides as I press my palms flat against the soft sheets.
Sometimes, I can't even believe it.
Taken.
And treated like this.
Like a princess—the Italian princess that I am—but also…like theirs.
This room feels so intimate now…feels like ours.
I look between both brothers, my heart pounding in my chest as they both stand on either side of the door, invading this space. They’re guarding me, guarding me like how they’ve always done, as though the world outside no longer matters.
The silence stretches between us.
They don't say anything. There’s no need to.
Their positions speak for them.
Nikolai is standing straight, his hands loosely at his side, his stance wide and open. Confident. He knows that he’s in control of everything in this room.
Mikhail slouches slightly, his arms crossed over his chest, a wicked smirk plastered across his face. Excited. He knows that he has the power to bend things to his will.
And the way that they both look at me…the way that they both watch every move I make…
My heart races.
They’re waiting for me to do something, to make the next move.
And I know they’re in no rush for it.
They’ve made it clear already; they’re in control.
All that’s left to do now is for me to follow.
I glance between them both, waiting. It will only be a matter of time before either one of them breaks the silence.
Both brothers study me as I sit on the edge of the bed, both brothers waiting for me to say something, anything.
I don’t, because I can’t.
And like Nikolai knows it, he decides to break the silence by speaking first. His voice is a little softer than usual, like he’s trying to be careful with the words that leave his mouth.
“What is your family like?”
I can’t help but stiffen.
It’s so sudden, so unexpected, that for a moment, I don’t even know what to say.
I swallow hard before even attempting to answer him.
“They’re strong people.” I begin saying, my voice trembling slightly. “They always have been. Papa has always doted on me, and Dario has always been kind.”