Page 106 of Dominance

But it puts some things in perspective about what side Adriano is on in his mind. What side I must appear to be on.

Lost in thought, I forget for a moment where I am.

Until I look over, to find Natalia dozing, her chin lolling slightly. Standing, I take her cup, setting it down and pulling the blanket up around her frail frame. Looking down at her, I picture Adriano sitting next to this delicate old woman, holding her hand, and bite down on a sob building at the back of my throat.

And in the moment, I make a choice, choose a direction.

To the question that she asked me moments before, and to my own doubt and indecision.

“What about your heart? What about your blood, ragazza?”

“I choose my heart, Natalia. But I also choosemyblood. Nothisblood.”

Leaving the retirement villa behind, I head back toward Rome. From there, I know where I need to go next.

I’m coming, Anna.

21

ADRIANO

“Adriano! Get the fuck out of the car!” Alessandro’s bellow sends a shiver down my spine, in the best way.

I’m out of the car and lifted off my feet in a massive bear hug, laughing despite myself.

“Fuck! Ciro, help, a yeti’s got me!” I gasp, trying and failing to crush him right back.

Alessandro sets me down, grabbing the twins, dragging them into their own brutal embraces.

“You look good, boys!”

Aless has always seemed larger than life to me.

He’s almost as tall as Ciro and Ero, but he’s wide, broad-shouldered. Looks like a fucking sports star, or a fitness model.

More than that, the past couple of months have been kind to him.

He looks years younger, even with the hint of early gray he would adamantly deny at his temples. Just like our father. A year shy of forty and looking distinguished as hell.

Still, he looks ten years younger in the way his eyes shine.

Maybe it’s because he looks like he’s not carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders anymore.

Call me a fawning little brother all you want.

I am.

“You two are fit as shit,bullo!” Aless laughs, throwing a few playful punches.

“You look like you’ve been eating mountain goats whole,” Ciro chirps, dodging and backing off. “What are they feeding you up here?”

Ero almost smiles, the way he does, easily sidestepping the brunt of the hug and the brotherly harassment.

“I don’t have much else to do but work out.”

“Must be nice.” Ero looks off at the mountains, tucking his hands in his pockets.

“Yeah …workouts…” Ciro wags his eyebrows.

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