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Adriano chuckles, clearly amused, but my focus stays locked on Cillian as he approaches, his gaze slicing through me, dark and unreadable.

“Please.” I turn to Adriano, my eyes searching his. “Just do it.”

His gaze flickers between me and Cillian, the shift in his expression telling me he understands. A slow, knowing grin spreads across his face, mischief dancing in his eyes.

“Ah, I see.” He tilts his head toward Cillian. “That your ex?”

“Yeah. Real jerk.” The words come out too easily. “Now help me make him jealous.”

“How can I refuse such a request?” Adriano’s arm slides around my waist, pulling me close. His mouth drops to my ear, his tone low and dark. “How jealous do you want him to be?”

“As jealous as possible.” The words are sweet poison on my lips.

And when I look at Cillian again, the rage in his eyes is almost enough to satisfy me.

Almost.

The woman at Cillian’s side flashes a smile when they’re only a few feet away, but I barely see her. I don’t see anyone but him. I’m a woman possessed, driven by something I can’t name. I pull Adriano closer, pressing my body against his as though it’s the only thing that can shield me from the storm of emotion threatening to swallow me whole.

Then Cillian’s voice cuts through everything. Deep and familiar and crushing.

“Dinara.”

The way he says my name—sharp, laced with longing and something far more dangerous—makes my chest tighten. I feel the shift in my body. The cold heat of recognition. The way everything inside me freezes at the sound of his voice.

It’s all I can do not to fall apart right here, but I won’t. Not for him. Not ever again.

“Cillian.” My voice is steady, betraying none of the trembling I feel deep inside. "It’s been a while."

“I’ll say.” His nostrils flare, his eyes locked on mine like I’m the only thing in the room. His chest rises and falls faster. “Can we talk?” He glances at Adriano with rage-filled eyes.

“Not right now.” I shake my head, holding on to Adriano’s arm even tighter. “I’m busy with my date.”

“I think I can spare you for a few minutes, darling,” Adriano says.

My hand rests on his chest, and I swear Cillian growls.

“You sure, babe?” The sugary sweetness of my words is the only thing that keeps me from cracking under the intensity of Cillian’s gaze—like he can’t breathe without me.

“Absolutely.” Adriano’s grin deepens. “I need to catch up with my sister anyway.” He flips his gaze to the woman next to Cillian.

Sister?

My eyes widen.

“You’re related?” I say, more of a statement than a question.

“That’s right,” she answers with a smile, and in this moment, I want to claw her eyes out.

“Excuse us.” Adriano pulls her aside and starts walking away, leaving me and Cillian alone in a space full of people.

Yet I don’t see anyone but him. I never have.

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” My heart hammers, like it’s tearing out of my chest.

“Let’s go inside.”

I open my mouth to refuse, but before I can, his hand is in mine. His touch is electric, sending a shock through my veins, filling every hollow part of me with a fire I haven’t felt in so long. The burn, the heat, the ache…it’s there, all of it.