Page 13 of Corrupt Crown

I shove past him without another word, indecision warring in my chest.

What is it about this woman that can make a man lose his goddamn mind?

Your choice is yours alone,Stellina. I would never take that from you.

Except what happens ifIhave no choice?

And even as I deliberate what I’m about to do, I know that my loyalty lies with my family. I’ll do whatever it takes to get my sister back and reclaim our family's honor by obliterating the Conti bloodline.

Elodie Rivers is the key to doing that.

Having made peace with my predicament and ready to take action, I slide into the seat opposite her as she takes a small sipof her prosecco. Her big blue eyes smile brightly at me before her lips slowly twitch upward as she tucks her golden hair behind one ear.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes, Handsome.”

And just like that, I’m fucked. She is my undoing, and despite knowing what I must follow through with, I desperately bargain with myself, needing just alittlemore time. Needing her to keep looking at me like I hung the damn moon.

It’s like an addiction, and I physicallyneedjust one more hit.

A couple of hours can’t hurt…

“My pleasure to be of assistance.” Then I tilt my head to one side. “What happened to my full title?”

Her eyes twinkle mischievously. “Handsome just sounds…right. Plus, it’s more to the point.” She shrugs with a chuckle. “And I’m too full to think beyond the blatantly obvious, okay?”

I smirk broadly before glancing at the hand resting on her stomach. “Do you think you have room for gelato?”

Holding up a petite hand, she giggles. “I’ve made a damn pig of myself.” She sobers as I send her an indulgent smile. “It was truly wonderful. Thank you for the highlight of my entire trip…”

Her lashes lower, almost shyly. “I… I truly am sorry for my reaction before.”

“No apology required. Witnessing the magnificent claws you slay dragons with was both an honor and a privilege.”

She presses her full lips together in a half smile that doesn’t quite carry to her eyes.

“I’d forgotten they existed, to be honest.”

CHAPTER 4

ELODIE

Stars litterthe dark sky when we emerge onto a quieter promenade.

Today really had been the highlight of my trip, all thanks to the handsome stranger who’d saved the day. Being with Rafe had shown me a glimpse of the person I could be if my life had taken a different path.

That feeling is entirely too intoxicating, and I soak it up desperately, knowing I’ll need it to get through what’s coming for me when I go home tomorrow.

What awaits me sends a chill running down my spine, making me shiver despite the warm Italian evening.

“Are you cold?” The concern in Rafe’s voice warms me from the inside out, making me smile wistfully.

Without waiting for an answer, he shucks the light beige jacket he’s wearing that matches his capris and stands at my rear to drape it over my shoulders. I’m immediately shrouded within his now familiar bergamot scent as he smooths the sides down my arms.

“The night is young.” His breath tickles the nape of my neck, and my eyelids flutter closed, allowing myself to have this one carefree moment with a man who—in another lifetime—could have become something more than a tall, dark, handsome stranger.

“Would you like to walk for a little while,Stellina?”

“What does that mean?Stellina…” His broad chest that’s pressed up against my back tenses at my question, and I turn to face him with a creased brow.