Page 48 of Tower of Temptations

The sound of something clattering in the kitchen made Rocco stir. "If they're destroying my coffee beans again…!"

"Better go defend them," I murmured, earning a sleepy kiss before he untangled himself.

Giuliano's ensuite was ridiculously huge, all marble and glass. I caught my reflection as I stepped in and froze. My hair was a mess, tangled waves falling past my shoulders.

"A lady always looks perfect, Pearl. What would people think if they saw you like this?"

Vittorio's voice echoed in my head as my fingers automatically moved to smooth the strands. How many mornings had I spent in my room, sitting perfectly still while his personal stylist worked? The way he'd drift his fingers through my hair afterward, checking their work. Making sure his prized possession was flawless.

"Don't be ridiculous! Cutting it would ruin everything we've worked for. Now go to your room until you remember how to behave."

I gripped the edge of the counter, suddenly angry. Even now, after everything that had changed, the memories of how he'd controlled me were still there. Every long, golden strand had been a chain he'd crafted. I hadn't even fully understood until this moment.

My hands shook as I gathered the mass of it, twisting it back like I'd done thousands of times. The face in the mirror looked young, trapped. Not mine.

I walked back out to warmth and the smell of breakfast and men who made me feel safe instead of caged. They must have caught something in my expression because the casual morning energy shifted instantly.

"I need you guys to help me do something." The words tumbled out before I could overthink it. My fingers tugged at my hair. "I want to cut it. I want it gone. Well, not all of it, but..."

"Yourhair?" Luca finally managed, looking stunned.

I nodded, fingers still twisted in the strands.

"Women usually just get bangs after a breakup," Rocco said, earning an elbow from his twin. "What? My ex did that."

"Because that always works out so well," Enzo drawled.

"Like you guys know anything about women's hair," Nico muttered.

"Pretty sure this is different," Enzo drawled. "Though I have to say, princess, you're full of surprises recently."

"I'll help. I've got clippers in my truck," Luca said, already heading for the door.

"The guy with hair down to his ass has clippers?" Giuliano's voice held a hint of laughter, breaking the tension.

"This perfection requires maintenance," Luca shot back, flipping his dark waves dramatically. "Unlike some people who just roll out of bed looking perfect." He threw a pointed look at the twins.

"It's a gift," they said in unison, then grinned at each other.

My heart was poundingas they arranged a chair, but my hands were steady. Nico draped a towel around my shoulders with surprising gentleness.

"Maybe to here?" Luca gathered my hair at shoulder length. "Still long enough to pull back if you need, but..."

"But different," I finished. "Mine."

The first snip of scissors made my breath catch. A golden length fell to the floor.

"Tell us if you need to stop," Angelo said quietly.

I shook my head. "Just keep going."

They worked together with surprising coordination, each taking turns. Even Enzo's complaints about technique couldn't hide how carefully he handled each section.

"If you guys ever get tired of the criminal lifestyle, you could open a salon," I teased, earning several creative suggestions about where I could stick that idea.

"Almost done," Nico announced finally. "Just need to even up the back."

I held still, marveling at how much lighter my head felt. How much lighter everything felt. Each snip was like cutting away another thread that had tied me to Vittorio's authority.

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