Without hesitation, I push into her from behind. The feeling is exquisite; I can feel her tighten around me, gripping me like a vice as I fill her to the hilt, hitting a depth that makes me groan in pleasure. The new angle sends shockwaves of ecstasy throughher body, and I sense her pushing back against me, eager for every inch.

“Just like this,” I growl, my hands gripping her hips tightly, guiding her back to meet my thrusts, penetrating her deeper with each movement. The heat radiates from her, and I can feel her body quiver with each thrust, pushing us both closer to the edge.

“Yes… Alessandro” she moans, the sound driving me wild. I pick up the pace, losing myself in the overwhelming heat of her body beneath me, every thrust igniting a primal desire to claim her completely.

We’re lost in our rhythm, the tension escalating with each powerful thrust, pulling us both back toward the precipice. Her cries of pleasure urge me on as I bury myself deeper into her tight pussy, each movement sending us soaring higher. The intensity builds within us, overwhelming and electric, until we both feel the climax approaching, the ecstasy ready to spill over.

With one final push, I feel her clench around me, and the wave crashes over us. “Alessandro!” she cries, and I follow her over the edge, our bodies intertwining, shaking as we ride out the last of our pleasure together, each pulse and thrust sending another jolt of bliss through us.

SERAFINA

Islip out of the bed, carefully escaping Alessandro's grip on me, without waking him. I need to get away from him, to think, to breathe. To process all the things, we said—and the way I felt when he was making love to me. I can't do that so close to him; my stupid brain can't focus when he is touching me.

The cool evening air stings my skin as I step onto the terrace, the distant glow of the city barely visible. I wrap my arms around myself, hoping the chill might numb the pain inside me.

The security detail is nowhere in sight. Alessandro's guards are supposed to patrol this perimeter, but tonight, it feels as exposed as an open wound. A flicker of unease churns in my stomach. Did they slack off? Or is this something worse?

Leo is fast asleep, his small body curled against the plush pillows upstairs. For a moment, I let myself believe we're safe—that Alessandro's fortress can hold back the monsters clawing at our door. That the way we were tonight is how it could be forever—but I'm not a fool. That's not how things work. They'll make him choose, and no matter what choice he makes we all lose.

"Trouble sleeping, Serafina?"

The voice cuts through the quiet, sharp and venomous. I can't see, it's dark out here. It's not Alessandro, I left him fast asleep in bed, and I know his voice too well.

I freeze, every muscle in my body locking into place. Slowly, I turn.

Marco Romano emerges from the shadows beyond the wrought-iron balustrade, leaning casually against a sleek black car. He's parked right there at our front door like he owns the place. The dim glow from the headlights casts angular shadows across his sharp features. He looks out of place in this suburban stillness—like a viper lounging in a flower garden.

"How did you get past security?" I demand, my voice steadier than I feel.

His smirk is slow, deliberate. "Security is only as good as the loyalty it's built on."

My blood runs cold. Someone let him in. Someone inside Alessandro's carefully crafted circle betrayed him.

"What are you doing here?" I demand again, though my voice is barely more than a breath. I don't want to wake Leo or his father. Where the fuck is security? Why aren't they here, how did he get this close?

His smirk is slow, deliberate. "Is that any way to greet an old friend?" He's delusional, completely whacked on his little power trip. He has to be crazy coming in here like this.

"We were never friends." I remind him.

He chuckles, low and cold. "Fair enough. But I think we have something in common now. Something—delicate."

My stomach rolls, and swallow the urge to hurl.

"What do you want, Marco?"

He takes a slow, menacing step forward. "To make you an offer. One I suggest you consider very carefully." His offers always come with a catch, and no exit clause. I'm not stupid enough to accept whatever he's trying to pedal.

Marco comes closer to me, his movements slow, predatory. There is no weapon in his hands—he doesn't need one. His presence alone feels like a blade pressed against my throat. He is deadly with or without a gun, he could kill me in silence, no one would ever know.

"Don't play dumb anymore, Serafina," he says, voice soft and laced with mockery. "I know Leo is Alessandro's son. It’s so fucking obvious."

The world tilts on its axis.

I can't breathe, my heart slamming against my ribs. "Stay away from him." I seethe under my breath. He better not touch my son. I do not care about their stupid vendetta. That little boy is innocent.

Marco's smirk deepens. "That depends entirely on you."

I swallow hard. "What do you want?" I ask again.