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"Good morning, Bella," he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep.
"Good morning." I return his smile, warmth blooming in my chest. "How did you sleep?"
"Better than I have in a long time, with you in my arms." Stefano pulls me closer, nuzzling my neck. "You were right. I needed to stay close to reassure myself you were safe and healing."
"I'm sorry for asking you to stay. I should not have imposed—"
He presses a finger to my lips, silencing my apology. "You did not impose. I wanted to be here for you, Isabella. I wanted to... hold you in my arms again"
My heart flutters at the tenderness in Stefano's eyes.
"As I care for you," I whisper.
Our gazes meet, and in his eyes, I see a hunger and passion to match my own. We have danced around our attraction for too long. The time for resisting is over.
I lean in and kiss him, a soft press of lips. Stefano stills against me, then lets out a groan and pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. His lips move over mine in a slow, sensual rhythm, setting my body aflame.
We break apart, breathless.
"Isabella," he murmurs, cupping my face in his hands. "Mi amor. My love."
My heart swells at his words. "And you are mine, Stefano."
Chapter 26
Stefano
AsIpullIsabellacloser, my mind reels with anger and confusion as I recall the Capo's words. What the hell did he mean when I told him I was looking for Isabella and he indicated it didn't matter if she lived or died?
Isabella looks up at me, pulling me away from all these circulating thought loops, where I can't seem to make up my mind on what to do next.
"Stefano, I need a shower," she says, her voice trembling slightly. "I can't stand feeling like this anymore."
"Of course," I reply, gently.
I lead her towards the bathroom. It's not much, but I hope it's comfortable enough for her. Sometimes, I forget that this woman is a billionaire heiress, who grew up on a Hacienda. As we walk, she ahead of me, I can't help but notice the way her long, wavy hair cascades halfway down her back, a striking contrast to the dirt and grime that covers her skin.
I wince when my eyes reach the darkened blood on her clothes.
"Here," I say, handing her an oversized white shirt from a drawer. "You can wear this while I put your clothes in the wash."
"No, throw mine," she says. "I don't want to be –"
"Reminded?” I finish her sentence.
She looks at me, forlorn. I wish I could take away her pain.
"Say no more. Just leave them on the floor next to the laundry bag. You'll never see them again."
"Thank you, Stefano," she murmurs, stepping into the small bathroom and closing the door behind her.
The sound of the water turning on fills the silence, and I find myself leaning against the wall, my thoughts consumed by the events that have unfolded.
"Por qué, Capo?" But why? I whisper under my breath, the Spanish words slipping out naturally. "Why did you not care what happened to her when all this time, you've told me keeping her alive is all that matters?"
The sound of the running water provides a backdrop for my thoughts as I sit on the edge of the bed, my hands clenched into fists.
The Capo's betrayal weighs heavily on my mind. I thought I knew him, trusted him. But now, everything has changed. My loyalty is shaken, and I can't help but wonder about his true intentions.
