Katarina’s POV
The world was soft and spinning.
I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or dying, but the arms carrying me felt like home. Strong. Solid. Warm. My head was tucked against a bare chest that smelled like sandalwood and something darker—like danger and blood.
I blinked slowly. The lights above me blurred. A hallway? Was I still in that nightmare lab?
No. The ceiling wasn’t buzzing. No needles. No voices whispering commands.
Just him.
A man.
Vittorio?
My eyes slipped shut again.
When I opened them next, we were outside. The air was colder, cleaner. Trees above us. Car doors slamming. Someone cursing softly.
Another man?
I blinked harder and caught sight of him through the haze—he looked like Vittorio but leaner. Same sharp cheekbones. Same mouth. Same hands. But he moved dif
