Alessia Mancini
My heart swelled, a tangle of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Relief, love, and a fierce protectiveness surged through my veins. I wanted to throw my arms around him, to feel his heartbeat against mine, but I held back, mindful of his injury.
Instead, I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, breathing in his familiar scent. "You scared me, Giovanni," I whispered against his skin. "Don't you ever do that again."
He chuckled softly, then winced. "No promises, cara. Protecting you will always come first."
I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze with a mixture of exasperation and adoration. "We protect each other, remember? That's how this works."
Giovanni's eyes softened, a hint of pride glimmering in their depths. "You did protect me, mia leonessa. You protected all
