Page 90 of Wrong Pawn. Right Capo.

My phone buzzes as I take in a deep breath. It’s a text from Adriano.

You’ve been away for two days. Francesco will come to pick you up.

I instantly forget everything else. The corners of my lips lift in a smile. I’m still getting used to how curt and direct he is in his texts. But I know what he actually means: he misses me.

I don’t reply; instead, I head to my room and get ready.

Minutes later, the city blurs through my vision as Francesco drives me to Adriano’s. My phone beeps again, and I think it’s Adriano, but it’s the same fake account commenting on my latest Instagram post about how I used my beauty and pussy to get internationally sold out. Rolling my eyes, I sink deeper into the seat. I know it’s that bitch Camila. I just wonder when she’ll give it a break.

Before my mood turns sour, I settle my mind on Adriano. I still don’t know where Enzo stands with this relationship between Adriano and me. But he’d said if it brings me happiness, then he wouldn’t stop me.

Plus, he feels indebted to Adriano for saving his life.

I arrive at the mansion, heading straight to his office. He’s not there, so I waltz into his room.

When I open the door, he’s standing beside the bed, water still dripping from his hair as he drags a tank top over his grey joggers.

My stomach flutters, and I instantly feel the heat spreading between my thighs when I take in the outline of his length.

“You didn’t reply to my text,” he rumbles. “I figured you were coming.”

Of course. Deciding to tease him, I lean into my hip and scratch my chin.

“Hmm. And what if I wasn’t?”

His eyes narrow dangerously, heat scorching everywhere his gaze lands. Within seconds, he closes the distance between us.

“Then I’d come to you… and you’d cum either way.” His breath is unstable against my neck. The innuendo isn’t lost on me.

A whimper is all the response I can muster as he leads me to the bed, sitting at the edge, then pulling me onto his lap.

“I’ve made dinner reservations for 7,” he says before latching onto my lips.

I moan into the kiss as his hand slips under my top, finding my breast. He flicks my nipple once and pulls back, staring at me with hooded eyes. I think he’s going to comment on my lack of a bra when he gently pulls me aside, goes into the walk-in closet, and returns with a large, blue box.

“Congratulations on your successful international launch once again.” His voice is soft, eyes holding onto mine with a feeling so intense that it sends shivers down my spine.

He’s given me several gifts since the successful launch four days ago, but I don’t comment on that and simply accept it.

Inside the box, there’s a beautiful turquoise dress with a matching Birkin and a matching pair of shoes.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my eyes suddenly watering. Ever since I told him blue is my favorite color, he’s been buying everything in blue.

He nods and repositions us again so that I’m sitting on his lap. This time, there’s a boner in his pants poking my ass.

“I missed you.”

My breath hitches as he pulls his thumb out to catch a stray tear.

“Me, too.” I lift the hem of his shirt and drag it over his head, itching to run my fingers down his abs when I see it. My breath stutters, then stops.

There, on the hard plane of his left pectoral, directly over his heart, is a tattoo. It’s still slightly scarred, but I can make out the outline of eyes, nose, and shaded contours of a face. It’s… it’s a tattoo of my face.

I recognize the picture. It was taken on the first night of our date. I throw my head back in a laugh, my eyes crinkled with joy. Tears well up in my eyes again as I reach out to trace the outline. “Adriano… when… why?”

He says nothing for the longest time, then captures my wandering hand, pressing my palm flat over his heart.

“That investor, Jonathan. The way he looked at you… it was a reminder that to the world you’re this beautiful, coveted thing.” His voice is a low rasp. “But to me… you’re everything. You are the one that melted the ice around this heart. The one who taught this heart how to love again, no matter how much it tried to fight it. You are the new reason why this heart beats.”