Giovanni Moretti
I felt a rush of pride as Alessia put Signora Vitale in her place. My little lioness had claws, and she knew how to use them. The room crackled with tension, thick enough to cut with a knife.
Gently, I pulled Alessia back against me, savouring the warmth of her body against mine. I bent down, my lips brushing her forehead in a tender kiss. The scent of her perfume – jasmine and vanilla – filled my senses, a stark contrast to the acrid smell of fear emanating from our "guests."
"That was perfectly handled, mia regina," I whispered in her ear, my voice low and husky.
I could feel her slight shiver at my words, and it sent a thrill through me. This woman, who had started as nothing more than collateral, had become so much more. She was my equal, my partner in every sense
