Page 158 of King of Obsession

‘To life, which gave us hell but didn’t break us.’

There was a murmur of agreement, a ripple of laughter that eased some tension.

I raised my glass higher.

‘E a noi,’ I growled. ‘And to us, who never stopped fighting. Always together.’

The glasses clinked again, firmer this time as if sealing a vow. The grappa burned as it touched our lips, warming them from the inside out.

Lorenzo set his tumbler down, his gaze sweeping over us. ‘Non importa quello che viene dopo,’ he said with quiet reverence. ‘Sappiamo chi siamo e da dove veniamo. Nessuno può portarci via questo. No matter what comes next, we know who we are and where we come from. No one can take thatfrom us.

Vitto grinned. ‘E ora,’ he said, picking up the bottle to pour another round, ‘Let’s drink! Because if we must fight again, we’ll do it with fire in our veins and grappa in our hearts!’

The laughter this time was full and rich, echoing off the kitchen walls.

This was our time, our night, and nothing—not even the trials of life—could take it from us.

‘Thank you for everything,’ I murmured to Lorenzo and Mia as the night began to wind down. Cleo and I stood at the dining room door, making our much-needed exit upstairs to rest after a tumultuous few days.

Later, in bed, Cleo turned to me, stroking my hair.

‘I loved all of you, honey,’ she murmured. ‘From your beautiful heart, ruggedness, and strength and support, which had given me an anchor in my storm-filled life. And now, your family. Every one of them is precious, baby. Thank you for letting me in.’

I buried my mouth in her nape, nuzzling her ear, searching for her skin under her cami. ‘Grazie mille for loving me, cara. After years of obsessing about you, Cleo, your love and holding you in my arms is beyond a dream; it’s heaven itself.’

Chapter 34

CLEO

‘Make me all yours til I black out.’

Alessio’s demanding growl echoed in the sumptuous bedroom.

‘Baby,’ I breathed, ‘your wish is my desire.’

I canted myself over his waist, stroking his cock, flicking my tongue over the head, and moving with teasing slowness to his pulsing base.

It was our second night in Sydney.

Alessio had outdone himself, renting us a luxurious townhouse near his brother’s place.

Earlier that day, we’d pulled up to an address where he’d led me inside, a slight curve on his chiseled face. ‘Welcome to our temporary home, amore mio.’

I’d stepped inside the opulent surroundings.

The space was decked out with every amenityimaginable, from gleaming marble floors and plush furnishings in rich jewel tones to a crystal chandelier casting prismatic light.

‘What do you think? I spared no expense,’ Alessio had growled, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me close.

I managed a smile. ‘It’s stunning.’

But I couldn’t shake the uneasiness lurking beneath my skin, an itch I couldn’t quite scratch. It was a palace in its own right, yet it didn’t feel like me.

That said, I attempted to make it our home by loving on my man, floating on clouds in the primary bed on a king-size mattress.

I pumped the base of his pulsing member, suckling the tip, flicking a tongue over the tiny silver barbells at his apex.

He bucked, one hand thrown over his face, his other muscled hand flung into the pillows, chest heaving, thighs trembling.

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