Page 71 of Blood Heir

“Relax, Em,” I murmur, dropping a soft kiss on her tangled hair. “Let’s just stay like this.”

For a second, I feel her breathing even out. She lets herself melt into me, her head resting on my chest. My arms tighten around her instinctively, as if I’m holding something fragile that might shatter if I let go.

I brush my lips along her forehead, kissing the trail of sweat that still lingers on her skin. She’s trembling, but not from desire anymore. I hear it—the sharp breath she takes, the tiny hitch in her throat—and then it happens.

The sob breaks free.

She tries to swallow it down, but I feel it. Her shoulders shake against my chest, silent at first, then stronger. My fingers rub gentle circles on her back as the sobs build, raw and quiet, leaking out of her like something she’s carried for too long.

I say nothing. I just hold her tighter.

And for once, Emilia doesn’t push me away.

Chapter 17 - Severin

I pace across my office, my polished shoes whispering against the marble, while Cassian stands by the window, phone pressed to his ear. His voice is calm, but I hear the strain in it. The weight of what we’ve set into motion is beginning to ripple outward.

He lowers the phone, turns to me. “Vittoria is livid.”

I don’t stop pacing.

“She says you’ve humiliated her family. Gustavo is still bruised. Monte’s father is threatening to pull the Adelaide routes in retaliation.”

I finally stop, facing him. “Let them.”

Cassian blinks, not hiding his surprise. “You’re serious.”

“I’ve never been more serious.” My voice is steady, cold, final.

He exhales slowly. “You’re really doing it.”

I nod once. “I’ve already done it.”

Cassian’s eyes narrow as he steps toward me. “You’re cutting Vittoria out.”

I stare back. “I am restoring what was always hers.”

“Fioretta.”

I nod again. “Fioretta.”

His brows draw together. “You’ve known for years. You were in on it before.”

“I was.” The words taste bitter. “But I was done the moment they hurt her. The night she jumped.”

The room falls quiet, heavy with the weight of those memories neither of us wants to voice aloud. He watches me carefully. He’s known me long enough to read what I don’t say.

“Monte’s father won’t take this lightly. Neither will the council.”

“I’m aware.” I walk behind my desk, pull open the thick drawer containing the family ledgers—ancient records that have governed Melbourne’s underworld for decades. “Which is why we move before they do.”

Cassian steps closer, scanning the documents. Ownership records. Asset registries. Estate deeds. Shipping routes. And most importantly: transfer of title.

I lay the final document flat on the desk.

Cassian stares at it. His eyes widen slightly. “You’re handing her the full Accardi share.”

“Yes.” My voice doesn’t waver. “My father’s empire was never truly mine. Vittoria knew that when she arranged our marriage. She thought she could control me by controlling Fioretta’s inheritance. But Fioretta was always the rightful heir to Gaspare’s lines—and to my father’s bloodline.” I pause. “I’m simply correcting the lie we all profited from.”

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