Page 98 of Of Lies and Shadows

“Good thing I’ve never claimed to be anything but a man,” I say, turning away. “One who happens to know when it’s time to shake the board.”

I don’t look back as I leave the room. But I feel it—his eyes on my back, calculating. Trying to figure out if the game just changed without him realizing it.

And it did.

Tomorrow, the real show begins.

The house isquiet when I finally get home, shadows stretching long across the marble floors. It’s late. Too late to catch the twins still up, but I find myself moving upstairs instead of toward my office, drawn by instinct more than anything else.

I pass by Lucia’s closed door, her night-light spilling a soft glow into the hallway. It’s only when I reach Alessio’s room that I hear a soft murmur of voices and pause.

The door is slightly ajar.

I push it open gently and find her sitting on the edge of his bed, the moonlight painting a soft glow across her face. Alessio is tucked beneath the covers, wide-eyed and animated as she adjusts the blanket around his chest. The plastic fencing mask rests beside him on the floor, his little wooden sword nestled under his pillow like a knight’s last defense.

I lean against the frame and clear my throat.

“Is the sword away? Am I safe to enter?” I ask, tryingto sound casual.

Alessio’s face lights up. “Papa!”

His grin is instant, toothy, and a little lopsided. Francesca glances over her shoulder, her expression softening when she sees me.

“You’re safe for now,” she says, and there’s amusement in her voice. “But be warned, his blade is at the ready should you insult mermaids or pirates.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” I say, stepping inside. “I respect the sea.”

Alessio laughs, and the sound does something sharp and sweet to my chest. He shifts in bed, pulling the covers up higher. Francesca rises slowly and brushes a hand through his hair.

“I’ll go check on Lucia,” she says. “He wanted a story tonight. Do you want to do the honors?”

I glance down at my son, who nods eagerly.

“Of course.”

When she slips past me, her hand grazes my arm just enough to leave warmth behind. I sit on the bed beside Alessio and lean down so our foreheads touch.

“Once upon a time,” I begin, “there was a pirate prince who was fierce and brave… but had a soft spot for his sister and his Cece.”

Alessio beams, snuggling in. “Did he win the treasure?”

“He did,” I whisper. “But the treasure wasn’t gold. It was family.”

His eyes flutter closed before the words are done, his hand curled tight against his chest, the little sword resting just beneath it.

When I rise and step into the hallway, Francesca is just emerging from Lucia’s room. She closes the door gently, then turns, and for a long moment, we just look at each other.

There’s something in her eyes I can’t quite name. But it’s there. I’m not imagining it. There’s something between us.

“I’m going to work with Bruno,” I say. My voice is rougher than I mean it to be.

Her eyebrows lift, surprised but not unkind. “Good.”

I rub the back of my neck, suddenly nervous. “I want to make love to you again.”

A blush climbs my neck, ridiculous considering everything we’ve already done, but this feels different.

She tilts her head slightly, amused. “Nothing is stopping you.”

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