Chapter 3

After leaving headquarters, I returned to the estate to collect my personal belongings from the study. When I reached the second floor, I found several boxes lined up in the corridor. My name was taped to them, and inside were the books, photographs, and private files I had collected over the years.

The study door stood open. The intelligence charts on the walls had been replaced with port maps. Encrypted computers and radio equipment covered the desk, and a black suitcase stood beside the chair that had once been mine.

Valentina was at the desk speaking with a port supervisor. Her shoulder had not healed, but her movements remained brisk. When she saw me, she quickly ended the call. "Are these your things? Dante only told me this room was closest to the safe room and communications center. He didn't say it was your private study."

"There's no need," Dante said from behind me.

He gave his coat to a guard, walked directly to Valentina, and took the file from her hand. "The attackers have identified her old address. The estate is the safest place for her, and this room connects to the internal communications system.

She can manage the port from here."

I looked at the transformed study. It had been Dante's engagement gift to me. He had personally arranged the hidden safe, encrypted lines, and bulletproof windows.

"You should have told me first."

Dante paused, as though he had not expected me to object. "You've barely used the room since becoming pregnant. I thought you wouldn't mind."

"Last week, I told you I still needed to organize the files inside."

He clearly did not remember.

Valentina stepped forward. "This was my oversight. I'll have the equipment moved to the east wing. It won't take long."

"Your injury hasn't healed. Don't move everything back and forth. This is temporary. Once the situation at the docks is resolved, I'll have the room restored."

He picked up an interior design catalog and offered it to me. "The south suite is empty, and it gets better sunlight. Didn't you want a larger nursery? I'll help you choose the furniture this weekend."

I placed the catalog in one of the boxes. "There's no need."

The softness left Dante's expression. "Are you still angry about the hospital?"

"No."

"Then why are you making such an issue over one room? Valentina protected the port for the family. Right now, she needs somewhere safe with reliable communications. This arrangement is temporary. I thought you knew how to distinguish what matters most."

I met his eyes. "This is our home. If you're moving someone else into it and giving her my room, shouldn't you discuss it with me first?"

His frown deepened. "She isn't someone else. We grew up together, and she's the family's operations chief. Besides, you've suspended your work, so the study is sitting empty. I made the most practical decision."

In the past, I would have argued until he acknowledged that this was my home too. Now I simply nodded. "You're right. There was no need to discuss it."

Dante relaxed, believing I finally understood. He did not know that I was not speaking only about the study. If he could move Valentina in without consulting me, I could move to Los Angeles, leave the Moretti family, and end our engagement without consulting him.