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His sincerity is palpable, and I want to believe him, to trust in the man I’m slowly falling for. “I do feel safe with you, Adrian. It’s just a lot to take in, seeing how others react to you.”
“We’re from different worlds, Emma. And I know it’s asking a lot for you to navigate mine,” he acknowledges, his gaze steady and earnest. “But I’m here, for you, to help you through this. And I’m committed to making this work, to showing you every day that you have nothing to fear from me. Excuse me, I’m going to the bathroom.” He gets up and disappears from sight.
The server who seemed so afraid walks past me and I grab his arm. “Do you know him?” I ask. “My husband?”
His eyes widen and he shakes his head. “No, ma’am.”
“Please, be honest. Why are you so afraid of him?”
He glances around before leaning down to whisper to me. “He’s the devil.”
The words send a chill down my spine, echoing the fears that had started to dissipate. The server retreats as Adrian returns, leaving me to ponder his warning in silence.
“You seem quiet,” Adrian notes as he sits opposite me, his voice laced with concern. “Is everything alright?”
I hesitate, unsure how to voice my fears without revealing the source. “I’m not hungry. Would you mind if we went back to our room?”
“Of course.” He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. “I know my world can be overwhelming, Emma. But I want you to know that with you, I’m just Adrian. Not the mafia boss, just your boss.”
* * *
Back in our bedroom, the air is thick with tension. His eyes hold mine, dark and intense, as he steps closer, the distance between us dwindling to nothing.
His hand brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle yet filled with an undeniable desire. “My wife,” he whispers, his voice low and husky, before his lips capture mine in a kiss that’s both a question and an answer, a melding of longing and affection that leaves me breathless.
The kiss deepens, and for a moment, everything else fades away—my doubts, the fears, the whispered warnings of danger.
But as we pull away, the reality of the world outside our bubble intrudes, and the words of the waiter echo in my mind, a dark cloud over our moment of bliss.
He senses the shift in me, his brow furrowing in concern. “What’s wrong, Emma?” he asks, his voice tinged with worry. “Did he say something to you?”
I hesitate, the weight of the waiter’s words heavy on my tongue. Finally, I let them spill out, recounting the warning given in hushed tones. “He called you the devil.”
“My reputation is not unearned,” he admits, his voice steady. “It travels far. He will have heard of me but I’ve only ever done what’s necessary to protect what’s mine, to uphold my family’s legacy. But you, you’re making me see things differently. You’re making me want to be better, more human.”
His confession is a balm and a blade, soothing yet cutting deep. I want to believe him, to trust in the man I’m coming to love, yet the fear lingers, a shadow that threatens the light between us.
“Promise me, Adrian,” I say, my voice firm despite the tremor of emotion. “Promise me there will be no more killing. That you’ll find another way to deal with your cousin, without resorting to violence.”
Adrian’s gaze holds mine, intense and unflinching. “I promise. For you, I’ll find another way. No more killing.” The vow hangs between us, a solemn oath that marks a turning point.
With that promise, a weight lifts, and when Adrian kisses me again, it’s with a renewed sense of hope, a belief in the possibility of change.
10
ADRIAN
She stands beside me, her hand in mine, gazing out at the ocean. The breeze teases strands of her hair, and I can’t help but think how lucky I am.
Turning to me, her eyes meet mine, shimmering with a mix of excitement and a hint of nervousness.
“I want this night to be special, with you,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of the sea. “But I’m nervous... because I’ve never done this before.”
Her honesty catches my heart, squeezing it with a gentle force. I pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her. “I know, my love,” I say softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “And we don’t have to rush anything.”
She nods, leaning into my chest. “It’s just all so new to me, and I’m scared.”
“We’ll take all the time you need. I care about you more than anything, and nothing is more important to me than making sure you feel loved and cherished.”
