Page 23 of King of Obsession

‘We’re good. I’m hoping they’ll disappear in the escarpment for good.’

She took a sharp, hissed inhale.

I attempted to push myself up, but she touched my upper arm, preventing me from moving.

‘Easy,’ she murmured. ‘You’re patched up, but I’ll need more supplies to heal that wound fast.’

Once more, my cock lurched.

Traitor.

I willed a scowl onto my face.

My jaw clenched tight to suppress the surge of desire threatening to overwhelm me.

The temptation to reach for her, slide deep into her, and blow my rocks off tugged at me.

Add to the fact she’d transformed from the waif I’d rescued into the badass woman now before me.

My chest rose and fell as our gazes locked.

I feigned indifference while turmoil churned within me.

‘Your name?’ she uttered.

The sensual vocalization sparked a rush of pure fuckin’ need through me as I drew in a sharp breath to contain myself.

‘Alessio.’

‘The man on that night in Naples, the one who lent his jacket to me.’

I offered the truth without buffering it. ‘Si.’

She pursed her lips. ‘You’ve been watching me all these years.’

It appeared she’d noted the times I’d ghosted into her life, monitoring from afar, making sure she was OK.

To be honest, I’d done more than that.

I’d been her unseen guardian, her fuckin’ fairy godfather.

Apprised of her grandfather’s death, I’d arranged for her and her Nonna to receive an all-paid holiday to Europe, claiming it was from a friend of her father, which was true.

She’d taken it, and I’d flitted into Paris after the pair. Witnessing their pleasure as they wandered the quirky lanes, ate at cafes, explored its museums, and strolled along the Seine, healing from their loss.

As I’d admitted, her Nonna was in my purview, as was her property.

I’d ensured Cleo’s farm won a private equity contract to install windmills on its land, which gave her a steady income.

Per my wishes, Mauri had maintained eyes on her, whether in person or via digital networks, a permanent, discreet watch as promised to her kin.

I’d kept away yet offered protection, which had been her grandfather’s last ask of the Calibrese famiglia: that weextend our wings over her but that she remained unaware.

Until now, when Franco was about to be released from prison, which I suspected would upset the delicate balance of her life.

Or so I’d imagined, for she was nothing close to delicate.

Still, she needed me here till his brand of trouble was gone forever.

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