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For the first time in my life, I forgot why I’d come somewhere. I had never been so affected by a woman before.

For one reckless second, I wanted to walk up to her, tell her she was mine. But I stopped myself.

Because I assumed she was exactly what she looked like. A civilian. Someone untouched by the world I inhabit.

A woman raised outside that life would spend years trying to understand why her husband leaves in the middle of the night. Why every vacation requires armed guards. Why every goodbye could become the last.

No matter how much I wanted her, I refused to burden her with that life.

So I settled for buying every remaining piece of her art that day. If I couldn’t have the woman, I’d settle for bringing pieces of her home.

For the past two years, her paintings have hung in my private quarters, a reminder of the woman I couldn’t have.

Until last night when Lorenzo sent over photographs of the Moretti family wanting to formally introduce the people I’d soon be tied to through marriage.

The moment my eyes landed on the younger daughter standing beside her, everything else ceased to exist.

I called Lorenzo immediately, and the moment he confirmed that Aurora was his youngest daughter, every plan I’d made for this alliance changed.

I immediately contacted my tech team and had my guy hack into her phone. I needed to know everything about her. That was when I found Luca. That worthless piece of shit, son of one of Lorenzo’s soldiers.

I’ll give Aurora credit for making their relationship discreet. Even Lorenzo wasn't aware of it. Then again, the bastard is too busy stuffing his own pockets to pay attention to his daughters’ lives.

My thoughts drift back to the video call, and despite myself, a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

Those perfect, oiled breasts filling the screen. Fuck. My cock twitches hard in my trousers. I shift in my seat and adjust myself.

She is even more beautiful than I remembered. That single glimpse cemented everything. I was already leaning toward claiming her, but now there is no question.

The car rolls up to the Moretti estate. Preparations for tonight’s engagement party are in full swing.

I step out, inhaling deeply. The Morettis are going to lose their minds when they hear what I have to say. Fortunately, I don’t give a damn how they feel.

Sergei and Dmitri, my most trusted men, get out of their cars and fall in step behind me.

As we walk toward the entrance, Sergei clears his throat.

“Boss… are you sure about this?”

I stop walking and slowly turn my head and look at him. That’s all it takes. His expression immediately tightens.

“…Sorry, Boss.”

I continue toward the front doors that are now being held open by the housekeeper. Marble floors stretch beneath towering ceilings painted with faded Renaissance frescoes.

Crystal chandeliers hang overhead, while portraits of long-dead Moretti patriarchs line the walls, each staring down as though judging everyone who walks beneath them.

Lorenzo emerges from a corridor, a surprised look on his face.

“Roman.” He extends a hand. “I wasn’t expecting you this early.”

I shake it once. “I’m here because we need to discuss something important.”

His smile falters ever so slightly.

“Is it about the engagement?”

“Yes.”