My eyes fluttered open, and the room I was in was definitely not mine.
"You're awake," a familiar voice said.
I turned and instantly regretted it. Adrino was right next to me—too close—and the look on his face? It sparked something dangerous in the air.
"How are you feeling?" he asked softly.
I snapped out of the moment and shifted away from him.
"I'm fine. Where am I?"
"My place."
"In New York?"
"Yes. The one I told you about three years ago," he said. "It's nice."
I tried to stand.
"Nope. You're not doing that," he said firmly. "You need rest."
"I need to see Papa... I need to get to the mob. R-Jay has him!"
"I've got that covered. My boys are already on it. He'll be with you in six hours. That, I promise."
"Don't promise me—I want to get him myself. I need to see him."
"Aria, please. Relax. He's okay. R-Jay just found out where he was spending his vacation."
"You spoke with him?"
"Yes. He's fine. He's either already on the flight or boarding right now. I can assure you—for now, he's safe."
"For now?" I repeated, my voice low and wary.
"Yes. R-Jay is not just a crime boss—he's a lunatic. He does what he wants, when he wants. Please, stay away from him—for your safety."
I hesitated, then said, "Did he tell you anything else?"
Adrino looked reluctant, but nodded. "He said... he wants to marry you."
I raised a brow, pretending to consider it. "So are you saying that's a bad idea?"
"Don't tell me you're actually considering it," he said, alarmed.
"Why not? He's in the mafia like me. He's handsome. Maybe we'd make a great team."
"Aria—what about love? What about how you'd feel?"
"Are you talking about love now?" I challenged, sitting up more fully, intrigued by where this was heading.
"You married a psychopathic woman with the emotional range of a teaspoon. You don't love her—probably don't even like her."
"That's different."
"How?" I demanded. "Marriage is forever, Adrino. You made a decision you now seem to regret."
He sighed. "Everyone knew that whole ceremony was fake."
"Then I'll fake mine too, like you did."
"No!" he burst out. "You don't get it. I never married Natalie. There was no ceremony. People assumed it happened in secret. She fueled the rumors with fake posts and photos of us—mostly her and someone who looked like me, but never my face."
I blinked. "Wait... what? Why?"
"Because I couldn't do it," he said, voice low. "My mom married the wrong man. Her life was ruined."
"My mother died at the hands of the wrong man," I added quietly.
Adrino looked pained. "I've grown fond of you, Aria. Your absence? It wrecked me. I've changed. I've become... gentler, softer. Even my body reacts to no one else."
I blinked.
"So you didn't sleep with Natalie?"
"I couldn't. I despised her."
"Then why the marriage plans?"
"At the time, I thought I had to—power over everything else. But power without someone who understands you? It's hollow."
He looked into my eyes. "You make me want more. You push the darkness out of me. The thought of another man touching you, kissing you, being with you—I'd kill for that. Literally."
I swallowed hard.
"So what, you expect me to say I like you too? That I'll leave Sean for you?"
"I'm not asking that," he said suddenly. He knelt down. "I'm begging you—don't marry Rodger."
I blinked, stunned.
"I wasn't going to," I said finally. "I was testing you."
He let out a shaky laugh. "I don't expect anything from you. Just... don't break my heart."
I smiled a little, trying to lighten the mood. "So... what's for breakfast?"
His eyes lit up. "Anything you want."
"Waffles?"
"Knew it." He picked up the phone. "Bring them in."
Soon, waffles with all the creamy, dripping goodness were in front of me.
"Want some?" I asked.
"With the way you're eating, I'm getting hungry," he replied.
"Stop it."
"Stop what?"
"Looking at me like a lion staring at fresh meat."
"Then I'm a lion. Be afraid, Aria... because I'm going to eat you."
"Adrino!" I laughed. "You're scaring me—stop!"
He tackled me playfully, tickling me until I was breathless with laughter.
For the first time in a long time...
I laughed heartily.