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My phone shattered the spell, the harsh buzz against the wooden nightstand making us both jump.

Caspian's name flashed on the screen, and reality came crashing back as I gazed out the window and noticed that the sun was out in full glare. That was when I realized the boat wasn’t rocking. We’d probably been docked for hours.

“Fuck,” I muttered, reaching for the phone.

“Hello?”

“Gio,” my brother's voice was clipped. “Where the hell are you? We have something to discuss.”

“I'm on my way back,” I said, sitting up and running a hand through my disheveled hair. “Give me an hour.”

“Make it quick. I’ll meet you at yours,” he commanded before hanging up.

I stared at the phone for a moment before setting it down. “We need to go,” I told Larissa, already reaching for my discarded clothes.

She nodded, slipping from the bed to gather her own items.

On the drive back home, my mind raced ahead to what Caspian could want. Whatever it was, it wouldn't be good—it never was when he used that tone.

***

We pulled into the driveway of my home, and the sight of Caspian's black Bentley sent a chill down my spine. Something was wrong if he had come to my place as soon as he landed back from his honeymoon.

Larissa looked up at me with worry. She had figured from the silence during our drive back that something was wrong.

“Whose car is that?” she asked, softly.

“My brother, Caspian,” I explained and placed a hand on her lower back. “Come.”

On entering the house, we found my brother already waiting in the living room. He faced us with an unreadable expression.

“Caspian,” I said, my heart pounding in my chest as I thought of ways to explain Larissa’s presence. “How was the honeymoon?”

“It was fine,” he said, his eyes flickering briefly to Larissa before returning to my face. “Nice evening yesterday for a boat ride?”

There was something in his tone that put me immediately on edge. Caspian was always someone to mind, but never more so than when he was being polite.

“We went on an operation,” I explained, keeping Larissa slightly behind me as we moved into the room.

“We?” he asked quietly, with an edge that sliced through the air.

I didn’t answer and he took one step forward.

“I wanted to meet your houseguest,” he said, his gaze shifting to Larissa again. “The one you've been keeping secret for, what is it now, two months?”

My blood ran cold. “It wasn’t a secret—”

“Please, Giovanni,” he scoffed, using my full name the way he did when he was truly angry. “Did you really think I wouldn't notice? Wouldn't investigate why my brother was suddenly bringing a woman to family gatherings? Reporting late with updates?”

Larissa shifted uncomfortably beside me, sensing the tension.

“I was handling it all,” I said carefully.

Caspian's laugh was sharp. “Personal, indeed.” He turned his attention fully to Larissa now, giving her a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “Larissa Ajello. Sister to Gastone, Carlo, and Dino Ajello.”

Larissa froze behind me. “How do you know who I am?” she whispered.

“Unlike the rest of my family, I don't allow a pretty face to distract me from conducting proper research,” Caspian replied. He pulled out his phone, swiping to display a photo before turning it toward us. “Family gathering two weeks ago. You were there, and I had to find out who you were when I learned you’ve been living here.”

“I…I…” Larissa was at a loss for words, and I took another step forward, shielding her from view. This explanation wasn’t for her to bear.

“Have you lost your fucking mind?” Caspian's voice rose as he turned back to me, his mask of politeness dropping entirely. “Playing house with an enemy's sister? What exactly was your plan here, Gio?”

“It's not what you think,” I started, though I wasn't entirely sure what he thought.

“No? Then explain why Gastone’s sister is living in your home when her family has been trying to undermine our operations for years!” He was shouting now, losing his grip. “Have you forgotten who you are? What we stand for?”

“I haven't forgotten anything,” I snapped back, my own temper rising to meet his. “But there are things you don't know.”

“Then enlighten me,” he hissed, stepping closer. “Because from where I'm standing, this looks like a foolish mistake.”

The accusation stung, all the more because Caspian and I had never been at odds like this before.

“Do you remember the arms shipment to Europe that was delayed?” I asked, choosing my words carefully. “It wasn't an operational mistake; the Ajellos planted a bomb.”

Caspian's eyes narrowed. “And you kept this from me?”

I took a deep breath. “I didn’t want to bother you on your honeymoon. I handled it, and then I saw Larissa following me.”

“And you did what exactly?”

“I handled it,” I said firmly.

“Handled it how?”

I hesitated, then decided the full truth was the only way forward. “I took her.”

Caspian's eyes widened. “You kidnapped an Ajello,” he repeated slowly. “And you... what? Decided to make her your live-in girlfriend?”

Put like that, it sounded insane even to my own ears. But it wasn’t that simple now, was it?

“It's complicated,” I said finally.

“Complicated,” Caspian echoed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Well, Brother, you've certainly made things complicated now. Do you have any idea what will happen when the Ajellos discover their precious daughter is in the hands of the Lebedevs?”