Page 68

“But I’m not giving you up. I need you to understand that, Jordyn. If staying away is the only way to keep you safe, then I’ll play the part. I’ll pretend. But it’ll be a lie, every second of it.”

A knot forms in my throat as his hand slides around to the back of my neck, firm and grounding.

“When you look at me in public, don’t linger.

When we speak, keep your voice steady. Act like you hate me if you have to.

But when you sneak into my room at night…

” His eyes darken. “That’s when you’ll see the truth. ”

My breath shudders out. “And what truth is that?”

His mouth brushes mine, not quite a kiss, just a promise. “That I’d burn down the world just to keep you in it.”

The words send a slow, burning ache through me. I nod, swallowing hard. “Okay. If this is what it takes for us to be together, then it’s what we’ll do.”

Ares’s mouth curves into the faintest smile, something soft flickering in his eyes. “Good. Now go get dressed before your sister calls in the entire Sicilian police force.”

I linger for a beat, my fingers trailing down his bare chest before I whisper, “Maybe I’ll sneak out later. Come back to you.”

His hand seizes mine gently, holding it to his skin, right over his heart. The look in his eyes shifts, molten heat and something wicked.

“You do that,” he says lowly, “and we’ll have another sleepless night.”

My pulse trips.

“Promise?” I smile.

He leans in, brushing his mouth against my ear. “Try me.”

I start to turn away, but he doesn’t let go of my hand right away. Just holds it there, against his skin, like he’s imprinting me into him.

Then slowly, reluctantly, he releases me.

I head toward the stairs, casting one last glance over my shoulder. He’s still watching me, eyes dark, jaw set tight, a silent, beautiful storm wrapped in skin.

God help me, I’m weak for this man.

“Tonight,” I mouth.

His expression doesn’t change, but something flickers across it.

Mine , it says without a single word.

The air feels different the moment I step outside.

Ares doesn’t follow me, he just stands in the side entrance of his villa, watching in silence, the morning sun casting gold along the lines of his bare chest. I glance back once, just once, and meet his eyes.

Honestly, it takes everything in me to not go back, throw myself into his arms and kiss him.

Instead, I offer him a smile then I turn and start walking across the grounds.

The distance between his place and the main manor isn’t far, but with every step, reality creeps back in.

I use the back exit that leads to the main road, so Luciano’s henchmen don’t see me leaving Ares’ villa.

The gravel crunches beneath my feet. The ache in my thighs reminds me of everything we did.

And the weight in my chest? That’s the part of me I left behind in his bed.

The two men guarding the gate nod in acknowledgement and open the gate to let me in.

By the time I reach the back terrace, the manor is awake. I can hear the low hum of conversation through open windows, the clink of breakfast dishes, the rustle of staff moving through hallways.

I push open the kitchen door quietly, trying not to draw attention.

It doesn’t work.

Bianca is already there, standing by the counter in leggings and one of Enzo’s old T-shirts. Coffee cup in hand. Eyes like daggers.

She doesn’t say anything at first.

Just watches me.

I shift under her stare, brushing hair from my face like it’ll help.

“Where the hell were you?” Bianca says finally, voice low and razor-sharp as she sets her coffee down so hard it sloshes over the rim.

I slip inside like I haven’t been holding my breath the entire walk back. “I stayed at a friend’s,” I answer, moving to the sink and turning on the tap, hoping the sound of running water will wash away the lie.

Bianca’s brows draw together. “What friend?”

“Sophia,”

“Who the hell is Sophia ?”

I keep my tone light, casual. “She’s a friend. We met when I was working at Eden. We kept in touch after... you know...it burned down. I needed to get away from here after everything and called her. She lives close by, so I went to see her.”

“Lives close by,” Bianca echoes, her voice flat. “And you just decided to crash there without telling anyone?”

I let out a sharp breath and turn to face her, irritation flaring in my chest. “Sorry, I didn’t realise I had to check in with every single person in this goddamn house before breathing.

” My tone spikes, hot and defensive. “We had a couple drinks, watched some movies, and it got late. I didn’t think walking back alone at two in the morning was a great idea. What exactly is the crisis here?”

She stares at me like she’s trying to peel the skin off the truth. “The big deal is you vanished, Jordyn! Matteo didn’t know where you were. I didn’t know where you were. You weren’t answering your phone. And now you’re telling me you were with some friend I don’t know about.”

“My phone was on silent, Bianca.” I lie, avoiding her gaze. “I told you that I needed space. I didn’t want to talk to anyone, least of all you. I mean, do you blame me after everything you unloaded onto me about the Russos and Mum and Dad.”

Bianca folds her arms and fixes me with a glare. “Don’t twist this around on me. I told you the truth because you deserved to know. And if you’re so angry about it, maybe it’s because deep down, you know I’m right.”

I grit my teeth. “Okay, maybe you are right.” I throw back at her. “You told me the truth. I heard you. I just... don’t understand what you expect me to do with it.”

“I expect you to be smart and stay away from him, Jordyn.”

“I don’t know what it is you think is going on between us, but you’re wrong.”

“Oh really?” she fires back. “Then tell me why you looked like someone gutted you when you found out Ares is getting engaged. Tell me why you ran off without a word right after. You’ve been acting off for weeks, Jordyn.

And now, suddenly, you disappear overnight and expect me to believe you just needed space? ”

I stay silent, but it only fuels her suspicion.

She steps forward, voice lowering. “Were you with him?”

“What?” I blink, too fast. “No.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying.”

“You are,” she snaps. “You flinched when I said his name. Your voice changed. You won’t even look at me.” she reaches over, and lifts my gaze so I’m looking at her.

I pull my face out of her grip, square my shoulders, and force myself to meet her eyes. “Why on earth would I be with Ares?”

“You tell me. Because the way he looks at you? It’s not normal, Jordyn. It’s not innocent.”

I sigh and shake my head, trying to brush it off, but Bianca doesn’t move. Her eyes narrow slightly as she studies me, really studies me. And then something shifts in her expression.

She tilts her head. “Wait...”

“What?” I mutter, already regretting coming back.

“There’s something different about you.” Her voice is quieter now, more measured. “You’re not just being defensive. You’re... glowing or something. And you flinched when I said his name, but not like you were scared. Like you’d been caught.”

I freeze.

Bianca stares at me, disbelief creeping into her voice. “Oh my God. Did you sleep with him?”

My heart stutters. “What? No.”

Her brows shoot up. “Jordyn.”

“I didn’t!” I retort too quickly.

Bianca just stares, mouth parting slightly as realisation starts to settle in the silence between us.

She whispers, “You did.”

“I didn’t,” I say again, but it’s useless now. The lie doesn’t even sound like a lie. It sounds like a confession I haven’t had the strength to make yet.

Bianca takes a step closer, like she’s trying to see the truth in my eyes. “Jordyn…”

“Jesus Bianca,” I shake my head, voice sharp now. “Do you hear yourself?”

She blinks.

“You’re standing here accusing me of sleeping with someone who, according to you, was indirectly responsible for getting our parents killed.” My throat burns. “Do you realise how messed up that sounds?”

Her face falls, just slightly.

“Is that really who you think I am?” I press. “Some girl who would run off and crawl into the bed of the man who ruined her life?”

Bianca falters, guilt flickering across her features, but I don’t give her time to respond.

“Just drop it, Bianca. I’m tired. I needed a break.

I stayed with a friend. That’s all. You and everyone else need to stop treating me like I’m some fucking child.

I’ll be twenty in a couple of weeks. Stop riding my ass and let me breathe for fucksake. ”

Guilt burns red hot in my chest as I turn away before she can say anything else. Because if she does, if she looks at me a second longer, I might tell her everything.

And I’m not ready for that.

Not yet.