Page 54 of His to Destroy

She lets me look at her.

And that—more than any vow, more than any kiss—is how I know I’m already too far gone.

Because I don’t just want to protect her anymore.

I want to belong to her.

Later that evening, as she gets ready to step out to the grocery shop—only for a short while—my protectiveness kicks in hard.

“You’re not leaving without security,” I say.

Almeria’s at the door, wearing a light cream blouse and jeans. Her purse already slung over her shoulder. Her expression hardens.

“Gaspare. I’m just going down the street to buy onions. I need some air. I’ve been cooped up in here for days.”

“I don’t care if it’s across the hall. You’re taking two men with you.”

Her eyes flash. “You promised me freedom.”

“I promised you safety.”

“And you think safety is about having two men flanking me while I buy fucking onions?”

My jaw tightens. “I nearly lost you. Him. You want me to be okay with you walking around alone now?”

“You don’t own me,” she says, voice shaking.

“No,” I reply. “But I want to.”

The silence that follows is deafening.

Her chest rises and falls, anger battling something more fragile in her eyes.

I soften my voice. “This isn’t about control. It’s about us. About what I feel for you.”

She swallows. “What do you feel?”

I move toward her, slow and deliberate.

“I feel like I’ve spent my entire life building an empire that means nothing if you and Luca aren’t safe in it.”

She blinks hard, her voice quiet. “You never used to talk like this.”

“I never used to feel like this. Until you.”

I take her hands.

“I’m not just doing this for protection. I’m doing it because I need you. I want you. Body and soul. I’ve loved you longer than I ever admitted, Almeria. Even when I was cruel. Even when I pushed you away.”

Her breath catches.

“I don’t want fake vows anymore,” I whisper. “I want the real thing. I want you.”

She steps closer, her fingers tightening around mine.

We remain silent in each other’s embrace, saying words with our hearts that our mouths can’t voice out yet.

And for the first time since I claimed her, I feel like she’s choosing me back.

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