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I caught Amara’s wrist when the blade was merely inches from my face.

Her other fist came down against my chest as I wrestled the knife from her grip. Not recognizing who I was, she fought me like a wildcat, punching, slapping, and a knee to the groin that had me doubling over as she aimed to stab me at all costs.

“Amara, stop! It’s me.”

She stilled.

“It’s just me, preziosa, ” I whispered, pushing matted and stained hair from her eyes.

The knife hit the concrete with a loud clang as she drew in a sharp gasp, throwing her arms around me and burying her face into my chest.

“What happened?” I rushed out.

The louder her sobs and the more I took in her disheveled appearance, the faster my heart thundered.

“Who did this?” I asked, barely able to stave off the tremble in my hands.

“Luca,” she murmured against my shirt.

Blinding rage overtook all rational thought. I was out for blood. Pushing away from her, I unholstered my gun, chambered the bullet, and headed for the door.

“He’s dead,” she said almost robotically.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Amara’s watery nod tore at my heart. I needed to get her out of here. If there was one thing I knew about Luca, it was that he was a pussy and rarely moved without his entourage. They’d come searching for him soon enough.

Tucking her under my arm, I guided her to my car. Amara was resilient, and from what I could see, there were no visible wounds, but she seemed to be in a state of shock. Whatever she’d gone through had left her rattled.

I cursed. Had I been more insistent on her returning home with me instead of giving in, she’d be in my bed right now, crying for a host of other reasons. The only upside is the fact that the bastard was dead.

Phoenix hopped into her lap, and that’s when it hit me. “Cambri?”

Amara simply shook her head, her stoic gaze fixed on the windshield as she squeezed the spotted cat to her chest.

I quickly rounded the hood and climbed inside, refraining from questioning her further until we’d driven several blocks from her building. She jolted slightly when I reached across the console and touched her thigh.

“Baby, I know that whatever happened back there has shaken you. But you’re safe now.”

“You were still here,” she said, squeezing my hand.

“Of course. You think I’d just go home and into bed? Blaise is posted outside your front entrance, and I planned to keep watch from the garage. Then I saw you running.”

Her voice was hoarse, and her smile frail as she looked at me with tears in her eyes.

“Thank you.”

Amara was mesmerized by the arsenal of weaponry I kept in the special storage room adjacent to my garage. Most were brought over from my home in Naples, and others I acquired through connections with Silas and Ares. Even with Luca dead, it was apparent he wasn’t working alone. There was no telling who he’d paid off to have done so much damage in such a short period. We shared blood, but our family knew the kind of man he was: a coward and a fool whose father couldn’t trust him to take over his business.

An inventory check was in order.

I moved in slowly and circled her waist, trying not to startle her with my sudden presence, especially after what she’d been through. Amara’s hands came up over mine, and I nuzzled her slightly dampened hair. The sweet scent of her shampoo filled my senses, and I sighed against her curls, relieved she was safe.

As much as I had wanted to remain by her side, I’d let her settle in and relax from the adrenaline high of the night without a single question about what had gone down in that apartment. But it was time for details and a plan of action.

“Talk to me.”

She leaned into my chest.

“Physically, I’m okay. And I wasn’t afraid of Luca…just caught off guard.”

“Then what happened? Why were you so shaken up? Did he try to—”

“No, I never let him get that close.” She twisted around. “But he has Cambri, or maybe she’s already dead. And I don’t know what to do, Santi. We need to find her. I can’t just leave her to whatever fate he’s condemned her to. I owe her my life.”

Where one would expect tears and traces of emotion in her voice, there was instead anger and an unwavering determination to find her friend. While that lack of fear was commendable, it filled me with anguish to know of her false sense of invincibility. She was flesh and bone, not steel. And most of all, she meant everything in the world to me.

“I’m working on it. I’ve made phone calls. But Luca has been off the radar since the night with Andretti. Was there anything he said that could be helpful?”

Maybe she hadn’t meant to, but my question triggered a reaction. Amara stiffened and averted her gaze, hands clenching my shirt.

“No,” she nearly whispered.

I lifted her chin with the tip of my finger, forcing her gorgeous eyes to find mine. “You can tell me anything. You know that.”

She shook her head. “There’s nothing to tell. This is about us—his way of getting back at you through me. Just like you said.”

I wanted to believe her, to believe she wouldn’t omit information that could potentially put her life in danger, but it was evident that something had affected her to the core. Whatever that something was most likely dealt with her past, as it was the only subject that caused her to recoil inside herself. But after what she’d been through tonight, I’d let her sleep on it and press her in the morning.

“We’re going to find her, preziosa . I promise. But in the meantime, are you hungry?”

The lines of despair on her face softened, whether it was at the mention of food, the change in subject, or both, and she nodded.

“A little.”

I chuckled and picked her up, a plump ass cheek in each hand. “You up for some panna cotta. It’s a dessert, and it’s almost as sweet as you. Almost.”

Her fingernails raked the back of my nape, sending goosebumps and electric pulses down to my cock, nearly causing me to make a detour to the bedroom instead of the kitchen. But I’d have my favorite dessert soon enough. For now, I wanted to introduce Amara to the one that had just been demoted.

After setting her on the countertop, I pulled open the refrigerator doors and scoured the shelves until I found what I was looking for.

“Giada keeps these stocked for me.”

“Looks like cream.”

“Precisely. Only tastier.” I brought a spoon to her mouth, and she opened up for me.

“It’s delicious.”

I understood the state of her emotions, so I wasn’t disappointed by her lack of enthusiasm. Just sharing this part of me with her was enough.

I set the spoon down, not wanting to push her, but she reached for it and scooped more of the dessert.

“Giada makes the best coffee and dessert?” she asked, taking another spoonful and bringing it to my mouth, and I didn’t hesitate. “Tell her it’s exquisite.”

“You can tell her yourself in the morning. She’ll be happy to meet you.”

Amara leaned in and swiped her tongue over my bottom lip, savoring the bit of cream she’d licked off. “You had a little something.”

A grin spread across my face as I framed hers and tugged her closer. “I think you do, too.”

I was never a fan of kissing since the act was so intimate. A kiss was vacant if the connection and chemistry beyond a good or quick fuck were nonexistent. But Amara’s lips were addictive, her tongue enticing. I’d never tire of tasting her.

“ Mia preziosa …” As I met her gaze, I became mesmerized when her eyes caught the light from the fixture above our heads, making both unique colors sparkle beautifully. “I love you.”

The declaration slipped past my lips before I could stop it. But once it was out in the world, I didn’t regret it for a second.

“I love you, Amara,” I repeated with a smile, enamored by the way the words rolled off my tongue .

“Santi…” she whispered, fresh tears sliding down her flushed cheeks.

“I do. Ti amo, bella. Stay with me.”

Luca had come tragically close to ripping her from my life. The thread of our mortality was fragile. I knew that more than anyone. Living without Amara wasn’t an option.

“I don’t want you to say it back…yet. Only when you’re ready. But I need you to know how precious you are to me. That I’m yours in every way you’ll have me.” I kissed her, tasting the tears on her lips. “And you’re mine, Amara. Only mine.”