Chapter 7 - A FORTRESS OF HEARTS
Lucia's arrival changed the entire dynamic of the Rinaldi mansion. Suddenly, there were tea parties in the living room and dolls sitting next to toy sports cars. To my absolute astonishment, the four rough, chaotic mafia heirs became fiercely protective older brothers. Marco, who used to throw knives at the wall, now sat patiently while Lucia braided his hair.
Victor and I fell into a domestic rhythm that felt dangerous. We shared late-night coffees in the kitchen. We sat together by the fire after the children were asleep. We were circling each other, two people scarred by the past, terrified of the spark between us.
One night, during a thunderstorm, the power flickered and died. The house was plunged into darkness. I was in the library, searching for a flashlight, when Victor walked in.
"Are the children asleep?" he asked, his voice low in the dark.
"Yes. The storm didn't even wake them."
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He stepped closer. The moonlight streaming through the window caught the hard planes of his face. "Serena. I can control the city. I can control my enemies. But I cannot control what happens when you are in the room."
Before I could breathe, his hands were in my hair, pulling me flush against his chest. His mouth crashed down on mine, hungry and desperate. It was a kiss that tasted of fire and whiskey, a promise of ruin and salvation all at once. I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck, surrendering to the storm inside the mansion.
