The sound of my phone ringing dragged me out of sleep. I reached for it blindly, still half-dazed, and saw Marco’s name flashing on the screen. I answered quietly, my voice thick with sleep. As he spoke, my eyes drifted to Alessandro. He was still asleep beside me, looking almost angelic in the soft morning light. Peaceful. Untouched by the chaos waiting outside these walls. Last night had been magical. So magical that even I, someone who rarely sleeps past dawn, had overslept. I glanced at the time on my phone. 9:07 a.m. I can’t remember the last time I slept that long—or that well. Marco’s voice pulled my attention back. He wants to see us. Both of us. And just like that, the calm of the morning began to fade. Marco briefed us one final time. “Nico is expecting Alessandro,” he said, his tone firm. “He’s not expecting you, Dante. But if you’re spotted, you’re there as Alessandro’s protection. Engaged couples do that now, apparently.” His pointed look made it clear he didn’t
Read more