Dawn creeps in quietly brushing over her bare skin like it doesn't want to wake her either.
I don't move...….. just watch her..... sprawled against me, boneless with sleep..... hair a tangled mess of auburn across my chest.
Last night is still everywhere..... the heat, the hunger, the way she whispered my name as I took her slowly..... Then not slowly at all..... and she met me every time, fierce and soft and ruined in my arms.
I should feel sated.... Instead, I feel claimed.
She stirs, her brow pinching for a second before she presses closer instinctively finding me even in sleep.
"Don't…" she murmurs voice rough hand sliding to my chest, fingers curling like an anchor.
I tuck her in closer, tracing the line of her shoulder with my thumb, brushing hair away from her face.
Even like this...… bare, unguarded..... knocked out. she look gorgeous. Time didn't even touch her, Pain didn't harde her. If anything she is still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
And she's here...…Mine.....That thought alone landed heavily on me.
My jaw tightens as my mind shifted through threats the way it always did.
My family...…. grandfather's cold ambition.....father's silence.... uncle's hunger for control.
Men who see people as leverage and will smell weakness the moment they sense happiness.
They will try to ruin what we have with their sick obsession with hierarchy but they will fail.
No one touches her or fractures this. Not after the years of silence, of graves that should never have existed, of nights spent believing I had already lost her.
They cannot know about Lorenzo, the truth stays locked away until I put my ring on her finger and my name where it belongs...… on her life, on her future.
Marriage isn't a cage and it will never be a shield I force into her hands. She has to choose and make up her mind to be with me.
She deserves to look at me one day and say yes because she wants me...…. not because the world tried to corner us again.
I lower my head and pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering there, breathing her in.
I will burn anyone who tries to take this from me.
.....
Aria's POV
Two months...….
That's how long it's been since Alessandro came back into my life and somehow turned everything soft again.
He's been steady, patient , a good father, a better man than I remembered. I was shutting down my system at work when my phone buzzed.
Alessandro….. I read the text immediately.
"Marchetti Inc just closed a huge deal and there's a small celebration tonight.
I want you there with me."
My heart skipped....
The Marchettis...…
I hadn't seen them in years. I avoided them like sickness as it was a battle between sharp suits, sharper tongues, and power that crushed anything weak.
And now...….. I'd be walking in as his woman once again.
My phone buzzed again.
"I know you're panicking but you don't have to. Youre my woman and they'll have no choice than to respect that. I love you and I'll see you soon."
I let out a slow breath...… i was scared, yes and my chest was tight..... hands were already cold but then after everything we'd survived..... after all the years lost..... if standing beside him tonight is all I have to do to make them leave us be then I'll do it over and over again.
......…
The makeup artist sprayed my face and stepped back while I stared at my reflection.
God...…. I didn't even recognize myself.
My hair was fuller, longer...…. blue eyes sharp, siren like, Lips red, glossy.... I looked powerful..... If I didn't know me, I'd think I was born into money.
The door opened behind me and I saw him in the mirror before I felt him.
Alessandro walked straight to me and pulled me in, lips coming down...…
I laughed and dodged.
"Babe! You'll ruin my lipstick."
He groaned dramatically then smacked my bum.
"You look too good"
"I'm already regretting taking you out like this."
I chuckled, turned and pecked his lips.
"At least half bread is better than none."
He cupped my face gently, forehead resting against mine.
"You don't have to be scared tonight." he said quietly.
"I know my family and how cruel they can be but remember you're safe with me. nobody will try to touch or harm you..... Not while I'm breathing."
I nodded smiling softly.
But my heart?
It was racing....
Cos no matter how safe he promised I was.... I know that family.... Heard of the monstrous things they've done... and I knew tonight would change things.
......…..
It wasn't as bad as I expected..... or maybe I'd just grown into this world without noticing.
Alessandro held a glass of champagne, took a small sip first then passed it to me.
"Preventive measures" he said calmly.
I rolled my eyes but sipped anyway.
We stood at the corner of the hall, talking quietly , waiting for them to arrive and then the energy in the room shifted...….
His father walked in first.... Tall and very Commanding. His stepmother beside him, elegant and sharp, her eyes already scanning the room like she was hunting for flaws.
Security poured in behind them, spreading out silently.
The celebration didn't stop..….. but it bowed as they walked straight to us.
I lifted my chin as his stepmother's eyes locked on me immediately. Slow and calculating obviously waiting for me to slip.
I didn't...…
Alessandro stepped forward.
"Hello…..… Father."
His father's face broke into something almost human. He pulled Alessandro into a firm hug, patting his back with pride.
"You've done well." he said.
"Very well."
I watched them, something warm settling in my chest...… Whatever else this family was, at least their bond was real.
Then his father's eyes moved to me.
A slow curious smile spread across his face.
"And who do we have here?"
Alessandro's hand tightened slightly around mine.
"My woman." he said simply.
The room seemed to pause as they both stared at me. His stepmother's lips thinned but she had nothing to critique. Even a blind man would see I looked stunning.
While his father studied me like a business proposal.
"Aria." I said calmly offering a polite smile.
"It's good to see you again." I added.
He hummed.
"So you're the girl, the one from years ago."
I nodded.
"Yes sir."
"I remember you" he continued still smiling
"You were....… different back then."
I met his gaze.
"So was I."
Something flickered in his eyes... curiosity maybe.
"Hmmmm....."
He turned to Alessandro.
"You have quite an interesting taste...…. Strong... authentic."
His stepmother finally spoke.
"We heard you disappeared." she said coolly eyes still on me.
"People vanish for many reasons and sometimes leaving is survival."
His father let out a short chuckle.
"She has a mouth." he said.
"I can see why you kept her."
Alessandro's tone hardened.
"I didn't keep her..... I chose her."
Another pause..... then his father lifted his glass.
"Well," he said voice smooth again.
"tonight is for celebration...… Marchetti Inc has won and that's all that matters."
He clinked glasses with Alessandro then nodded at me.
"Enjoy the night...… Aria."
As I watched his parents walk away Alessandro leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear.
"You did so good baby."
I exhaled slowly.
"Not yet."
"We still have to meet your uncle."
A voice cut through the air behind us.
"And who do we have here?"