His grip on my wrists tightened, rough but trembling. The heat of his skin burned into mine, and for a heartbeat, I thought he might crush me—not with his hands, but with the weight of everything he refused to say. “Let go,” I hissed, trying to yank free. “No,” Matteo growled, his voice breaking on the single syllable. His eyes were wild, the kind of wild that came from too many nights without sleep, too many years of blood on his hands. “If I let go, Giuli, maybe I lose you. Maybe you run. Maybe you decide one morning that the fight is enough, that I’m enough, and then you’ll be gone.” I froze, my anger stuttering against the rawness in his voice. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m here, Matteo. I’ve been here every goddamn day.” He laughed, harsh and hollow. “No. You’ve been here for them. For this family, for this empire, for ghosts of men who built their thrones out of bones. And I…” His chest heaved, his words spilling like poison he’d been swallowing too long. “I’m
Last Updated : 2025-09-20 Read more