Adrian leaned against the cold marble of the balcony, the darkness of the night swallowing the glimmer in his eyes. Below, the estate buzzed with quiet security details, patrolling shadows, and watchful eyes. Yet none of them could see the storm brewing in his chest. Not even her.
Valentina.
He replayed her voice in his head, sharp and challenging, no longer the frightened girl who first arrived. He had trained her, molded her, watched her bleed and fight. But somewhere in between bruises and bloodshed, she had become something else. An equal. A temptation.
His phone buzzed.
"Boss," Matteo's voice came through. "We've confirmed it. Santorini's people have crossed into our territory. They're watching the east docks."
Adrian's jaw clenched. "Let them watch. If they step further, we stri
