Alessio helped me up from the ground, his grip firm yet careful, as though he feared I’d shatter.
His dark eyes swept over me, scanning for injuries or signs of weakness.
“I’m fine,” I said quietly, though my voice betrayed the slight tremor I was trying to hide.
I picked up the book from the ground and shoved it into my jeans.
“You don’t look fine,” he muttered, brushing dirt off my arm. His frown deepened as he studied my face.
Nicolo stood to the side, his arms crossed, his face a mask of indifference. But when I caught his eyes, there was something darker there, something that churned my stomach.
“I need to go to my office, Dante would check the grounds,” Alessio said, his tone leaving no room for discussion. He glanced at Nicolo “Stay with her.”
I didn’t argue, even though I
