KISS'S POV
The plane ride to Italy was long, but I hardly noticed. I spent most of the time watching Adrian. He was meticulous—checking his laptop, reviewing documents, phone calls every few minutes—but there was a subtle tension in his shoulders that made my heart ache.
I knew this was his world, one I barely understood, but I also knew he trusted me enough to bring me along. That trust made me feel… significant. Safe, even. And yet, I couldn't shake the nervous excitement that came with being pulled deeper into his life.
Finally, the jet landed on Italian soil. The sun was bright, and the city below looked peaceful—at least, compared to the storm I knew brewed in Adrian's world.
"Stay close," he murmured as we walked down the jetway, hand brushing mine briefly. That fleeting touch sent a shiver up my spine.
"I will," I whispered back, trying to sound confident, though my heart was racing.
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ADRIAN'S POV
The first thing I did upon landing was head straight to the local Goodwill office. My team had been preparing for months, but there was nothing like my personal oversight. Oscar, as always, was waiting in the lobby with that calm, collected demeanor that I trusted more than anything.
"Oscar," I said, voice low, but firm. "Everything's yours. Don't touch anything unless it's critical. Keep my operations smooth."
Oscar nodded. "Understood. You can focus on the Italian branch without worry."
I studied him for a moment. He was more than a personal assistant—he was a second pair of eyes, a shield, and sometimes the only man I trusted to have my back.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," I said. "Keep Kiss out of anything dangerous. She's under your protection until I return."
Oscar's gaze flicked to Kiss, who had been quietly observing the exchange. "Of course," he said.
Satisfied, I turned toward the door. Italy awaited, but my mind wasn't entirely on business. Something else was nagging at the edge of my thoughts—Ashley Barlow.
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KISS'S POV
I barely had time to process Oscar taking charge of the office when Adrian stopped abruptly outside the building. His expression darkened, a storm I had seen only a few times before.
"We need to make a stop," he said, voice clipped.
I followed silently, trying not to intrude, but my curiosity was piqued. His hands were in his pockets, jaw tight, eyes scanning the streets like a predator hunting.
We reached a sprawling mansion—Ashley's. My stomach twisted with unease.
"Why are we here?" I whispered.
"Business," he replied coldly, though I caught the warning in his tone.
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ADRIAN'S POV
Ashley didn't waste time. The moment the door opened, her sharp eyes found me. "Adrian," she said smoothly, "what a surprise."
Her tone was confident, almost teasing, but her eyes held something sharper—a challenge.
"Kiss is with me," I said evenly, my voice low but dangerous. "You stay away from her."
Ashley's smile widened, like she was amused rather than intimidated. "Is that so? You always did have a thing for control, didn't you? I see it hasn't changed. And Kiss… she's just temporary. You'll come back to me."
My jaw clenched. The words were infuriating, but I kept my composure. I stepped closer. "Temporary? No. She's mine. Stay out of her life, Ashley, or you'll regret it."
She laughed softly, tilting her head. "Bold. I like that. But don't forget—I know you. You don't get to decide who stays or goes in your world."
Her arrogance was maddening, but I couldn't show weakness. Not here, not now.
"Try me," I said quietly, voice deadly calm. "I warned you once. Don't make me warn you again."
For a heartbeat, she didn't move. Then she smirked. "Oh, Adrian… we'll see. You always come back, and I'll be waiting."
The door closed before I could respond. My chest heaved slightly—not from exertion, but from frustration. Ashley had always been a thorn, a reminder of a past I had tried to bury. But Kiss… Kiss had changed everything.
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KISS'S POV
I stood behind him, silent. Every word, every glance, made my heart thump in a mixture of fear and admiration. I couldn't imagine confronting Ashley like that. But Adrian had done it—stood up for me in a way that left no doubt in anyone's mind.
I swallowed, suddenly feeling the intensity of his presence. Even now, his gaze was protective, possessive, and utterly terrifying. Yet… comforting.
I took a cautious step forward. "Adrian…"
He looked at me, expression softening just slightly. "Stay close. Let me handle this."
I nodded, feeling a strange warmth spread through me. This man—this dangerous, powerful man—cared. And I didn't know how to handle the flood of emotions that came with it.
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ADRIAN'S POV
I turned back to Kiss. "Let's go. Italy is waiting, and so are problems we can't afford to ignore. But remember this—no one lays a hand on her. Not Ashley, not anyone."
She nodded, eyes wide, lips slightly parted. The way she looked at me—like I was both her shield and her danger—made something primal stir inside me.
I grabbed her hand gently, and we walked to the car. My mind was already running through strategies: how to secure operations, how to ensure Kiss's safety, and how to handle Ashley. But beneath it all was something else—a growing, undeniable feeling that I could no longer ignore.
Kiss was mine. And I wouldn't let anyone—even a ghost from my past—take her from me.
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KISS'S POV
As we drove toward the airport, I realized something terrifying: I was falling for him. Hard. And the fact that he had just protected me, stood up for me, and brought me along into this complicated, dangerous world… made it impossible to resist.
Even now, the thought of Ashley lurking in the background made my stomach knot. But I trusted Adrian. Somehow, I always had. And despite the chaos, the danger, and the mafia politics, I felt… safe.
Safe with him.
And perhaps, dangerously, I wanted more than safety.