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The elevator doors close with a soft ding, sealing us inside. Elio stands close, his presence both comforting and unnerving. The scent of his cologne fills the small space, a heady mix of spice and something uniquely him.
I stare at the numbers counting down, my heart beating in time with each floor we pass. The silence stretches between us, thick with unspoken words and lingering questions.
When the doors finally open, Elio places a gentle hand on the small of my back, guiding me out into the lobby. The touch sends a shiver down my spine, and I can’t help but lean into him.
Outside, a sleek black town car waits. Elio opens the door, and I slide in, the leather cool against my skin. He follows, settling in beside me, his thigh brushing against mine.
The proximity is too much, too intimate. I shift, trying to distance myself, but there’s nowhere to go. I’m trapped, both by the confines of the car and the intensity of his gaze.
“You’re tense,” he observes, his voice low and smooth. “Is everything alright?”
I force a smile, my fingers twisting in my lap. “I’m fine. Just nervous, I guess.”
He studies me, his gray eyes searching mine. “You’re lying.”
The accusation hangs in the air, and I feel my cheeks heat. How does Elio see through me so easily?
“It’s your brother,” I admit, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “He said some things that put me on edge.”
Elio’s jaw clenches, his eyes hardening. “What did he say?”
I hesitate, not wanting to cause trouble between them, but the look in his eyes tells me he won’t let this go.
“He implied that you two share girls,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the engine’s hum. “That you would expect me to be with both of you.”
Elio’s hand curls into a fist, his knuckles turning white. Anger radiates off him in waves, filling the small space.
“I’m going to kill him,” he growls.
I place a hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles coiled beneath his suit jacket. “Please don’t. It’s not worth it.”
He looks at me, his eyes softening. “You’re worth it, princess. You deserve to be treated respectfully, not like some plaything to be passed around.”
His words wash over me, soothing the jagged edges of my nerves. For a moment, I allow myself to believe him, to trust in the sincerity shining in his eyes.
But the moment is fleeting, shattered by the reality of who we are and our world. A world where trust is a luxury we can’t afford.
The car slows to a stop, but Elio’s words linger between us. I turn to him, my heart racing as I gather the courage to ask the question haunting me.
“Is it true?” my voice is barely a whisper. “What Renzo said about you sharing girls?”
Elio’s eyes meet mine, a flicker of guilt passing through them. He sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. “We have, in the past. But that’s not what this is. It’s not what I want with you.”
I search his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I see is a vulnerability that catches me off guard.
“I like you,” he continues, his voice soft. “I really like you. And I want to get to know you, the real you—not just the princess of the Aguilar cartel but Camila, the girl who loves to read in the library and has a laugh that lights up the room.”
“I want to believe you,” I whisper, my eyes locked on his. “But trust doesn’t come easy to me.”
He nods. “I’m willing to earn it if you’ll let me.”
And in that moment, I let myself believe in the possibility of something real beyond the games and the power plays of our world.
Elio steps out of the car, holding out his hand to me. I take it, allowing him to help me out onto the sidewalk. The restaurant looms before us, all gleaming glass and sleek lines. It’s the kind of place I’ve only seen in movies. The kind of place where the wealthy and powerful come to play.
Inside, the maître d’ greets us and leads us to a private table in the back. The room has soft lighting and plush velvet, the perfect setting for a romantic dinner.
We order, the menu a dizzying array of French dishes I can barely pronounce. But Elio navigates it easily, selecting a bottle of wine that costs more than any drink should ever cost.
