Part 7:

Alessandro’s thumb traced along her lower lip, the touch so light it barely registered. It wasn’t. He paused, and for a moment the control slipped enough for her to see what was underneath. I’m just a man, Seline. And sometimes, even when I know what’s right and what’s wrong, I can’t make myself stop wanting something I shouldn’t have.

Then don’t, she whispered. And this time, when she reached for him, she didn’t hold back. Alisandro didn’t pull away. His hand slid into her hair, and he kissed her like he’d been holding himself back for hours. his other hand finding the curve of her waist and pulling her against him until there was no space left between them, but started careful turned urgent fast, heat building until Selene forgot where she was.

Forgot every warning her father had given her, forgot everything except the way Aleandro’s mouth felt on hers, and the way his hands gripped her like he couldn’t bear to let go. Her phone rang, cutting through the moment like a blade. Seline broke away gasping, her pulse racing and her lips already missing his. I need to She fumbled for her phone with shaking hands.

I should check. Her father’s voice came through sharp and worried. Seline, where are you? I’m sending the car. The words hit like cold water. She turned away from Alessandro, trying to get her breathing under control before she answered. Dad, no, don’t do that. I’m already heading back to the residence.

She ended the call and found Aleandro watching her with an expression that managed to be both amused and concerned at the same time. He pulled her back into his arms, tucking her head under his chin. But your father’s worried. Can’t really blame him for that. His voice dropped lower. Let me drive you home. Seline shook her head against his chest.

Better if you don’t. If he sees you, it’ll only make things worse. I’ll just grab a cab. Aleandro pulled back to look at her, one eyebrow raised. I’m not putting you in a cab, Seline. I don’t want to let you out of my sight. They sat together in the back seat, while Alessandro’s driver navigated Monaco’s curves in silence, the privacy screen raised between them and the front.

Alessandro found her hand in the darkness and laced his fingers through hers like it was the most natural thing in the world. His thumb drawing circles on her palm that made it hard to think about anything else. Selene had never felt anything like this before. This pull that made logic and safety feel irrelevant. This need that made her chest ache when he was close and made breathing difficult when he wasn’t.

Everything had shifted tonight in ways she couldn’t undo, even if she wanted to. All she wanted was to be back in his arms, and she didn’t care what it cost her. The car slowed as they neared the diplomatic residence, reality closing in with every second. Aleandro lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles that felt like both a promise and goodbye.

“Text me when you’re inside.” Selene nodded, not trusting her voice. She stepped out onto the street and the car pulled away and she stood there watching his tail lights disappear around the corner with her hand still warm from his touch and her heart already missing him. Selene lay in her bed staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep, her mind replaying the moment Aleandro had pulled her close and kissed her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

Heat spread through her body just thinking about it. The way his hands had felt in her hair. The way his mouth had moved against hers. The way every nerve ending had come alive under his touch. She’d never felt anything like that before. Never wanted anyone the way she wanted him. And the intensity of it scared her almost as much as it thrilled her.

Her phone lit up on the nightstand. Unknown number. She opened the message and ice flooded her veins. If you don’t stay away from him, you have no idea what’s coming for you.” Selene’s hands shook as she stared at the words, fear cutting through the warmth that had been pooling in her stomach just moments before.

She didn’t think, just opened her messages and forwarded the text to Alessandro with trembling fingers. Aleandro sat in the backseat of his car, heading back toward the villa when his phone buzzed. He opened Selen’s message and his expression went dark, his jaw tightening as he read the threat that had just been sent to her.

He hit a number on speed dial, his voice coming out cold and controlled when the line connected. Alas, I need you to trace Selene Davenport’s phone. I want to know who’s been calling and texting her. And set up tracking. I need to know where she is at all times. He ended the call and stared out the window at Monaco’s glittering streets passing by.

His mind already running through scenarios and contingencies. He’d have to play this carefully. He didn’t want to put Selene in more danger than she was already in. But there was no avoiding the fact that this road led straight to a confrontation with Richard Davenport eventually. And when that happened, everything would come out.

The next morning, Selene found her father at the breakfast table with dark circles under his eyes and attention in his shoulders that hadn’t been there yesterday. He looked up when she entered, and something in his expression made her pause halfway to her chair. I need you to stay close to home for a while, Richard said without preamble, setting down his coffee cup with controlled precision.

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