Page 59 of Massimo

The silence stretches on—she's had years of enduring the harsh lessons—but like it has since I met her, that spark of fight flares in my presence.

"What?" Her tone isn't exactly snarky, but it isn't subdued and soft-spoken, either.

I smile at her fire. "How was your afternoon?"

She shifts her weight between her feet, clearly uncomfortable with putting herself and her needs at the center. She doesn't trust that I won't use this against her.

"Your library is beautiful. I read all afternoon." Her brows pull together.

"What is it, princess?"

She bites her bottom lip.

At the sight, I'm whisked back to this morning, with her straddling my lap. She had bitten her lip the same way as I edged and denied her the orgasm she was chasing. That vivid memory and the whimpering sounds she made make my cock jump.

"You can speak freely, Nova." I choose my words carefully, making sure it doesn't come across as a command.

She huffs a small breath and then asks, "Why do you have all those psychology books in the library?"

"Do they interest you?"

Her soft brown eyes, big and innocent like a doe's, meet mine. Inside them, I see a flash of hope that's banked quickly.

I hold my hand to her, hoping she takes it as an offering rather than a command to come closer.

She slowly approaches me, and I settle my hands on her hips. She shivers but doesn't step back.

"I bought the books for my sister-in-law Sophie, but haven't given them to her yet."

"She likes that subject?"

I drag my knuckle down her cheek, happy to see her coloring isn't the paleness anymore. The rest and food—and orgasms, hopefully—are doing her good.

"You remember me mentioning Sophie's passion project of Hope's Legacy?" When Nova nods, I continue, "The women and children have experienced a lot of trauma." Nova's eyes simmer, and I can see the torment from the trauma she herself has survived. "Sophie wants to better understand how to support them. Her strength lies in the business side of things, but she wants to deepen her understanding of trauma so she doesn't unintentionally cause more harm."

"She sounds like a wonderful person. And what a wonderful passion."

"What's your passion, princess?"

Her chin falls. "I…I don't have one. As the Mancini Princess, my purpose is to serve whoever my father sells me to through marriage."

Like fucking hell that willhappen.

I don't second guess what's happening here or that it's happened so quickly—at least for me—but I have no intention of letting Nova go.Ever.

I'm powerful, but more than that, I'm strategic and cunning. My plan to get everything I want is crystal clear; all I need to do is implement it.

Using my finger, which wears my Don's ring, I tilt Nova's face back up.

She will not wilt and hide…she will not bow to anyone—not even to me. She's meant to be an equal, my equal, and I'll transform this princess into my queen yet.

Chapter 26

Nova

SomethinghasshiftedbetweenMassimo and me.

Or maybe it's me.

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