Page 43 of Shattered Engagement

“The only mistake,” Giancarlo says coldly, “would be allowing emotions to cloud judgment. Something I’ve taught you to avoid since childhood.”

The rebuke lands with precision, and I watch Luca flinch.

“We should increase security at all properties,” I suggest, slipping back into my professional role. “If this was the Bianchi family or the Russians, they may be planning additional strikes.”

Giancarlo nods approvingly. “Already thinking three steps ahead. This is why I value you, Alessio.”

The praise shouldn’t affect me. This man murdered my mother. Tried to murder me. Destroyed my rightful legacy and built a new one on my family’s graves. Yet some small, broken part of me—the child who never knew a father’s approval—responds to his words with a warmth I despise.

“I’ll coordinate with both security teams immediately,” I say, pushing the feeling away.

“Good.” Giancarlo gestures to the door. “Antonio, let’s discuss our next shipment route in private.”

The dismissal is clear. As I turn to leave, Luca steps into my path, his voice dropping to a whisper meant only for me.

“I’m watching you, Gravano. One wrong move toward Isadora, one hint of betrayal, and I’ll put a bullet between your eyes myself.”

I meet his gaze steadily. “Your concern for your fiancée is admirable,” I say, maintaining the pretense of respect. “But unnecessary where I’m concerned.”

The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. Every time I’m near Isadora, all I can think about is touching her, tasting her, making her mine in ways that go beyond the bedroom. Her scent lingers in my consciousness like a drug I can’t shake. The way she whispered my real name—Stefano—haunts my dreams. The memory of her body pressed against mine makes my blood burn even now.

Luca steps aside, a sneer twisting his lips. “We’ll see.”

As I exit the study, I walk directly into the person dominating my thoughts. Isadora stands in the hallway, her dark hair tumbling loose around her shoulders, wearing a silk robe hastily thrown over her nightgown. The sight of her—clearly woken from sleep, vulnerable and disheveled—hits me with physical force.

“What’s happening?” she asks, her voice hushed. “I heard shouting.”

Her scent—jasmine and something uniquely her—fills my senses. Being here in her family home, has been its own form of exquisite torture. Every night, knowing she’s so close, remembering how her body felt against mine.

Before I can answer, the study door opens again, and Luca emerges. He sees Isadora, and his expression transforms, softening into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Nothing for you to worry about,cara,” he says, moving to her side and slipping a possessive arm around her waist. The gesture is deliberate, a clear message to me. “Business matters. Go back to bed.”

I watch her stiffen slightly at his touch, though she masks it quickly. Her eyes find mine over Luca’s shoulder, questioning, searching.

“Mr. Gravano will update the security protocols in the morning,” Luca continues, his fingers digging visibly into her hip. “For now, let me escort you back to your room.”

I maintain my professional mask, though rage simmers beneath the surface at the way he handles her—like property, like something to be controlled.

“Of course,” Isadora says smoothly, her social mask sliding into place. But as Luca guides her away, she glances back at me, a silent communication passing between us.

Later, her eyes promise.

I nod imperceptibly, ignoring the dangerous heat that flares in my chest. The advantage of being stationed in her home is that “later” is much easier to arrange than it would be otherwise. Four days until the wedding. Four days until I reveal myself to Giancarlo Calviño as the son he thought he’d murdered. Four days until I destroy everything he’s built.

And somewhere in those four days, I need to decide what to do about Isadora De Angelis—the complication I never anticipated, the woman I can’t stay away from, the vulnerability in my perfect plan for revenge.

As I watch Luca lead her away, his hand proprietarily at the small of her back, I make a decision. Giancarlo will fall. Luca will learn the truth. The Calviño empire will crumble.

And Isadora will have a choice.

Because despite twenty years of planning, despite the single-minded focus on vengeance that has defined my existence, I’ve come to realize a truth I can no longer deny: I want her more than I want revenge.

And that makes me more dangerous than anyone in this house realizes.

15

Isadora

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