Page 102 of Of Lies and Shadows

Hestrides into the kitchen, fully dressed in dark slacks and a navy button-up, hair damp from the shower, sleeves rolled to his forearms. He looks good,toogood, and he knows it.

He heads straight for the espresso machine, moving with practiced ease, and takes the tiny shot of caffeine like a ritual. Then he turns, dark eyes scanning the room until they land on me.

He kisses the top of Lucia’s head first—earning a delighted squeal, then Alessio’s hair, ruffling it with a rough sort of affection.

And then he turns to me, his dark eyes far too hypnotic. There’s no warning as he steps in close, cups my jaw gently, and kisses me. Not a peck, not something subtle and secret. No, this is full and firm, claiming and deliberate. His mouth lingers just long enough for heat to crawl up my neck, for my breath to catch, and for the entire kitchen to go silent.

Lucia gasps, then giggles. “Papa kissed Cece!”

Alessio looks scandalized. “You’re not supposed to do that in front of children.”

Dante just smirks, unapologetic. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He brushes a thumb across my cheek and murmurs, “Have a good morning,” like he didn’t just leave me blinking and breathless, and then he’s grabbing his keys and walking out the door without another word.

I stand there for a beat, trying to pull myself together while the twins burst into giggles again. My heart is doing ridiculous things in my chest.

That wasn’t for show—that was a message, and I’m stillreeling from it when I gather my things, kiss Lucia goodbye, and head for the car with Alessio in tow.

When we walk out, I hesitate on the last step, tightening my hold on Alessio’s hand as I see Fulvio standing by the car alone.

“Where’s Tino?” I ask, eyeing the empty driver’s seat as I approach.

“He had a family emergency.” Fulvio opens the back door for me with a stiff nod. “I’m taking you today.”

I hesitate. “Don’t you think that’s a lot? Driving and guarding?”

“I can multitask. It’s not like it’s anything complicated.”

“I’m sure you can,” I say as I slide into the back seat with Alessio.

He closes the door, then climbs into the driver’s seat without looking at me. “I go where I’m told.”

I settle in, watching the trees blur past the window, and try to ignore the shift in the air as I keep Alessio’s hand in mine.

Fulvio may say he doesn’t mind, but he minds. I can feel it in the way he grips the wheel, the way he doesn’t speak unless spoken to.

The road is wrong.

It takes me a full minute to realize it, and even then, I don’t want to believe it. I glance out the window, then at Fulvio’s face in the rearview mirror, tight, unreadable. The usual landmarks are missing, and a sick coil of tension unfurls in my stomach like smoke from a fire I didn’t know had started.

“Fulvio,” I say, keeping my tone neutral and calm. “Youmissed the turn.”

He doesn’t answer. Doesn’t even blink. His hands stay on the wheel, and his eyes are focused straight ahead like he can’t hear me, or worse, he doesn’t care to.

“That’s not the way to the academy,” I repeat, louder this time. Alessio’s humming dies in his throat. He glances toward the front seat, confusion etched across his features.

“I said,” firmer now, “this isn’t the way.”

Still nothing. Not a twitch, not a flicker. Just silence, heavy and pressing.

I reach for my phone, my fingers slick with sudden sweat, fumbling the screen before finally hitting Dante’s contact. My thumb hovers for a split second before I hit call and, without waiting, drop the phone to the floor. I nudge it beneath the seat with my foot, praying he answers, praying he hears something, a voice, a scream, a location, anything.

“Fulvio?” My voice rises, strained and tight, the panic coiling tighter in my chest like barbed wire. “Why are you taking Cherry Lane?”

“Cece?” Alessio whispers beside me, his voice shaking. “What’s happening?”

And then, Fulvio finally speaks, sharp and venom-laced. “Shut your fucking mouth.”

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