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“I needed a slice of pizza.”

“One slice is never enough.”

She reaches for the pepperoni and takes a slice. I lower to the seat beside her as the topping slides off.

I catch the loose pepperoni and cheese before it falls, lift the whole mess back onto the slice and press it into place.

She stares at the slice, then her eyes cut to mine.

“Did you just touch my pizza?”

I reach for a napkin and clean my hands. “It was falling apart.”

Her lips part, and a girlie laugh escapes her, the moment suddenly lighter.

The laughter fills the empty apartment and catches me somewhere I’ve no defence against.

She shakes her head as she takes a bite, smiling around the mouthful as she chews.

I sit back and watch the happiness linger.

All the threats from my father, blood spilled, land bought behind his back, and years spent building my empire becomes easier to carry when she looks at me that way.

She smiles because of me.

“I’m taking a shower,” I tell her. “Won’t be long.”

She glances at the food. “Don’t ya want any?”

“I’ve already eaten.”

I leave her with the feast, head straight to the master suite, strip, and shower.

Afterward, steam follows me into the bedroom where I pull on a clean pair of sweatpants and drag a T-shirt over my head.

The black folder I'd prepared earlier lies in the center of the bed. I pick it up, look inside, and stare at the name on the first page. The documents behind it are mostly the same but significantly different.

I read each one before glancing at the open bedroom door, knowing she’s out there, and I’m in here, holding this.

With a sigh, I close the folder and place it on the chest of drawers out of the way.

Sera needs a clear head for what comes next.

I return to the sitting room and find her curled up on the sofa, one hand tucked beneath her cheek. Two slices of pizza are gone. Everything else remains untouched.

I pivot and head back to the bedroom to grab a blanket and spread it over her.

My apartment is mostly bare and unfurnished, but with her lying there sleeping, it already feels complete.

I pour a whisky and stand over her for a while, just staring at how peacefully she sleeps.

Eventually, I sit beside her head and make sure she’s warm enough by turning up the heating from an app on my phone.

Strands of her hair have fallen over her face. I sweep them back, careful not to wake her, and the next thing I know, I’m running my fingers through the silky lengths.

Sera shifts beneath the blanket, her hand finding my thigh. I cover it with mine and keep it there.

Tonight, she sleeps right where she belongs.