Page 109 of Ruthless Royalty

It feels like the world has finally quieted down, leaving just the two of us in this moment, and I can’t help but smile as I nuzzle closer to his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

His hand moves gently up and down my back, tracing lazy patterns on my skin, and I feel a warmth spreading through me that has nothing to do with the heat between us and everything to do with the sense of safety I feel here, in his arms.

“How do you feel, Kitten?” he asks, his voice rough, but there’s a tenderness there that makes my heart clench.

I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I try to find the words to explain what’s going on inside my head.

“I feel … like myself again,” I say softly, tilting my head up to look at him. “Like I finally have my power back.”

He smiles, that dark, dangerous smile that always sends a shiver down my spine, but there’s pride in his eyes too, a deep, unwavering pride that makes my chest ache.

“You always had it, Chiara,” he murmurs, his hand brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “But I’m glad you feel it now. I’m so fucking proud of you.”

I lean up to press a soft kiss to his lips, letting the warmth of his approval wash over me.

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “You let me take control, and that … that meant everything to me.”

His smile widens, and he pulls me closer, his arms wrapping around me like a protective cocoon.

“You used me to take back your power, and I’m fucking honored to be the one you chose to do that with,” he says, his voice full of raw honesty. “You could’ve done it any other way, but you trusted me, Kitten. That means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

I lay my head back against his chest, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart beneath my ear.

“It was the only way I could’ve done it,” I breathe. “With anyone else, it wouldn’t have been real. I needed you to see me, to really see me take control.”

“And I did,” he replies, his voice low and filled with that dark, possessive edge I’ve come to love. “I saw you, Chiara. I saw every fucking part of you, and I’m never letting go of what I saw.”

We’re silent for a moment, just holding each other, and I feel the weight of everything that’s happened over the past few months slowly lifting, replaced by something lighter, something almost … peaceful.

It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way, so long since I’ve felt like I could just be, without the constant fear, the constant weight of everything that’s happened.

“Thank you,” I whisper, closing my eyes as I let myself sink deeper into his embrace. “You’ve been my anchor through all ofthis, Gio. Even when I was at my lowest, you were there, holding me up.”

His expression softens, and he leans down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.

“I may have been there, but you did the hard part. You fought your way back, and that’s something no one can take away from you.”

I smile up at him, feeling a warmth spread through me that’s almost overwhelming in its intensity.

“I love you,” I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “I love you so much, Gio.”

He looks at me for a long moment, his eyes dark and intense, and then he smiles, that same dangerous, beautiful smile that makes my heart skip a beat.

“I love you too, Kitten,” he says. “More than you’ll ever fucking know.”

I feel a tear slip down my cheek, but I don’t wipe it away. For the first time in a long time, I’m crying not because I’m sad or scared, but because I’m happy. Because I’m finally feeling like myself again, and it’s all because of his help.

“Hey,” he whispers, his thumb brushing away the tear. “What’s this? No crying, remember?”

I laugh through the tears, shaking my head as I press my face into his chest.

“I’m crying because I’m happy. Because I’m finally feeling like myself again, and it’s all thanks to you.”

He pulls me closer, his arms wrapping around me like a shield, and I feel his lips press against the top of my head.

“I’m just glad you’re back,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. “I missed you, Kitten. I missed you so fucking much.”

“I missed me too,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m here now. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

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