Page 86 of Fire and Silk
Matteo moves first, but I hold out a hand to stop him. Lira straightens. Her eyes are wet but glowing now—strange, furious.
She raises her hand and slaps Mina across the face. Mina gasps. Lira slaps her again, even harder.
“This isn’t your estate anymore,” Lira says, her voice low, cold, and commanding. “You have forty-eight hours to rescind all holdings and transfer ownership. Or we’ll take it through the courts and bleed you in public.”
Mina reels, blinking fast, nostrils flaring. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
Maksim starts forward, but I intercept him easily. One step into his path, and he falters.
My smile doesn’t reach my eyes. “Stand back M.”
Mina recovers with a breath that sounds more like a hiss. She snatches her handbag from the chair, turning on her heel.
“This isn’t over,” she says to Lira, the words jagged with venom. “Not by a long shot.”
She storms out. Maksim lingers only a second longer before following.
The lawyers—who have barely exhaled—regain composure. The older one straightens his tie and nods with new gravity.
“We’ll begin preparations for the formal transfer and registration. There will be paperwork to validate the name change across accounts, assets, and private titles. We’ll make sure it’s all authenticated by week's end.”
They both bow slightly, not to me—but to Lira.
“Congratulations, Signora Falco-Dante.”
Matteo steps forward and ushers them out, holding the door as their shoes echo down the marble hallway. When it closes, silence blankets the study.
I walk to her slowly, hands in my pockets. She’s still standing near the table, her chin high, her breath steady. The mark on her cheek is red, blooming just beneath her eye. She doesn’t touch it. Doesn’t wince.
I stop in front of her and reach up, brushing the edge of the bruise with my knuckles.
“You were fucking magnificent.”
Her eyes flick to mine, and a slow smile spreads across her lips. It’s not soft. It’s not shy. It’s the kind of smile that belongs to someone who just realized what she’s capable of.
“I think I love this life,” she says.
The grin that pulls at my mouth is immediate. My hand slides along her jaw, tilting her face. I lower my head. My tongue traces the line of the slap, then her cheekbone, then the shell of her ear. She breathes in. I take her lobe between my teeth, then whisper against her skin.
“I have so much to teach you.”
Her voice is low, breath catching just slightly.
“I have so much to learn.”
I grip her waist and lift her easily. She lets out a small gasp as I place her on the edge of the table, her legs parting just slightly to make space for me. I step between them, hands sliding under her thighs, pressing her closer.
Her hands grip my shoulders. Her eyes are locked on mine. She’s not afraid. Not anymore.
She’s ready.
I ease her knees apart, hands firm beneath her thighs. Her palms press against my chest, not to stop me—just to steady herself. Her breathing changes. She looks up at me with something new in her eyes.
Her fingers tighten slightly. I bend closer.
Then the door opens.
Matteo’s voice cuts the moment in half. “Boss.”
