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Lost in my cyclical thoughts, I don't hear the door open behind me. But the rich timbre of Antonio's voice promptly pulls me back to the present.
"Clara."
I whirl around, my pulse leaping wildly as Antonio steps into the room. His handsome face is now graced with a foreign softness, an emotion I can't quite decipher. Regret, perhaps? Remorse for his harsh reaction yesterday?
He moves nearer and I stand up straighter by instinct, keeping my face carefully neutral. Reigning in my chaotic emotions seems the wisest choice before he unleashes a torrent of reprimands. I brace myself for the worst, determined not to show any more weakness.
But to my utter bewilderment, after a tense pause, Antonio's first words are, "I'm sorry."
My eyes widen in shock. Whatever reaction I anticipated, it wasn't that. Antonio's steely demeanor rarely cracks enough for apologies.
He runs a hand through his raven hair before continuing, some of his typical smooth confidence absent from his voice. "Dante was...overzealous. I should have intervened sooner yesterday. I let irrational fear and suspicion rule me, and you paid the price." Antonio steps closer, his hazelnut eyes swirling with uncharacteristic sincerity. "You've done nothing to intentionally betray this family. My reaction was inexcusable."
My breath whooshes out in pure relief and I'm unable to contain it as I fully absorb his words. Before I can consider propriety, or the risk of getting hurt again, I surge forward and wrap my arms around Antonio's sturdy frame, comforting hardness under his tailored shirt. His earthy scent and warmth chases away the lingering chill from the open window. Unable to resist, I press my lips firmly against his, savoring his nearness.
For a heartbeat, Antonio stills in surprise at my sudden show of affection. But soon he responds in kind, using one hand to gently cup my cheek while the other presses firmly into the small of my back, keeping our bodies locked together. The kiss deepens instantly as our passion swirls and collides. I cling to him like a lifeline, pouring all my tangled emotions from the last 24 hours into this one perfect moment.
When we finally part for air, Antonio rests his forehead against mine, his rugged breaths falling against my tingling lips. I stare into his darkening eyes, feeling a hardness press against me through his pants.
After a long moment savoring our closeness, Antonio clears his throat, his words coming out husky. "I've arranged for the family to have a movie night downstairs this evening. We'd...we'd like you to join us, if you want."
I search his face, surprised but touched by the invitation, by this olive branch. "Of course. I'd be happy to join you."
The brilliance of his answering smile makes my heart stutter. Antonio takes my hand, his warm fingers lacing with mine, as if we are an established couple and not whatever complicated entanglement we've found ourselves in.
"Good. I want my family to see you as I do now...as one of our own," he says.
We exit my lavish but confining room hand in hand and descend the grand staircase together, our steps perfectly in sync. The silence between us now feels comfortable, intimate even. I can't keep a giddy smile from my face, still flying high from his searing kiss and meaningful apology. And from the knowledge that I haven't lost his trust completely, not yet at least. I cling to this second chance he's gifting me.
As we reach the bottom, Giovanni pulls me into an affectionate bear hug. "I told you it would all work out, bella," he says warmly.
I return his embrace happily. "Thank you," I whisper, sure he is at least partially responsible for the radical change in my circumstances.
Still arm in arm with Antonio, we make our way down another level to the basement's state-of-the art private theater. More of his brothers join us along the way, welcoming me back with good-natured smiles, as if yesterday never happened.
With a playful smirk, Lorenzo gives me a friendly nod and says, "Glad you could join us tonight."
I laugh, comforted by his laid-back, easygoing manner. "Me too. It's good to get out of my room for a bit."
Pietro and Rafael echo similar lighthearted sentiments about my presence, though they remain more reserved than the others. By the time we sink into the plush leather recliners with popcorn and snacks in hand, my earlier distress over the family's reaction has fully melted away, replaced by relief that no one seems to hold yesterday against me now. At least on the surface.
As the opening credits roll, Antonio and Dante exchange one of the loaded glances they use to communicate reams without words. Dante taps his thumb absently against his glass of imported beer, radiating his usual restless energy. His piercing eyes keep darting over to Rafael, who subtly shakes his head, some unspoken exchange passing between them in mere seconds.
Before long, Dante leans over and murmurs something I can't make out to Antonio, who gives him a subtle nod in return. Without another word, Dante slips from the dim theater, disappearing down the hall. I watch him go, curiosity rising within me, along with more than a little unease. Ever since the night he broke into my house looking for my father, his volatile intensity unnerves me.
But once Dante is gone, it only takes the brothers a few minutes to fall back into their good-natured banter and running commentary on the movie. I sit back contentedly just observing their family dynamics, this rare glimpse behind the intimidating facade they present to the outside world. To my relief, they include me casually in their discussions, making me feel like one of them, at least for tonight.
By the time the credits roll, signaling the end of some forgettable action thriller, my doubts from yesterday already feel like a distant memory.
As everyone begins drifting off to their lavish bedrooms, Antonio approaches me with a heart-stopping smile and offers his arm. "Would you join me upstairs for a private dinner out on my balcony?" His eyes smolder just enough to make my pulse quicken.
"I'd love to," I answer smoothly, sliding my hand into the crook of his strong arm, amazed at how quickly things have turned around.
Antonio leads me up the staircase and down the west wing hall to the suite he commands. We step out onto the spacious balcony overlooking the sprawling grounds, now cloaked in growing dusk.
"It's so beautiful out here," I murmur, leaning against the intricately carved railing and gazing out at the gardens and fountains below.
"Yes, you are," Antonio says simply.
