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Besides them reside three of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, who watch me with curiosity in their eyes.

My pulse accelerates as I try to stay standing, but my knees go weak.

Oh God, please don’t let me pass out.

“Everyone.” Alex takes a step closer to me, settling his hand on my lower back, anchoring me upright. “This is Charlotte.” He glances down at me. “This is my family.” He gestures around the room. “You already know Vin. And these are my brothers, Mauro and Leo, and my brother-in-law, Eli.” Each man nods or offers a polite smile. “This is my sister-in-law Scarlett, married to Leo.” She smiles warmly. “This is my sister-in-law Alina, married to Mauro.” She waves with enthusiasm. “And this is my sister, Madeleine.” She studies me with open suspicion, her gaze sharp and unreadable. For a heartbeat, I wonder if she instantly hates me. Then finally, one corner of her mouth lifts into a faint, reluctant smile.

“H-hi,” I manage, offering a slight wave.

“Where’s Clara?” Madeleine asks, peering around us.

“Francesca just took her to her room,” Cecilia answers as a staff member brings her over a glass of wine. “Poor thing couldn’t keep her eyes open.”

The same man then approaches me, offering me a glass. I stare at the red liquid with trepidation, my stomach twisting into tight knots. “I’m all set, thank you.”

He nods and walks away.

“Need a drink, brother?” Vin asks, clasping Alex’s shoulder.

“Yes,” Alex answers, briefly glancing at me before walking with his brother toward the bar cart.

Without his presence, I feel…exposed.

My arms wrap around my waist just as Scarlett and Alina step in my direction.

“We’re really happy you’re here,” Scarlett says with a gentle smile as she pushes back her long blonde strands over her shoulder.

My brows furrow. “You’re not…mad?”

“Mad?” Alina adjusts her glasses, looking genuinely confused. “Why would we be mad?”

I tuck my hair behind my ear, glancing between them. “I just thought my being here would bring problems to your family if anyone found out, and that’s the last thing I want to do.”

Alina laughs softly. “Our husbands aren’t scared of anyone and deal with problems in their own way. They can definitely handle the governor if it comes to it.”

Scarlett shakes her head, laughing. “Besides…” She glances over her shoulder toward Alex before looking back at me. “You’re probably in the safest place in the country. Alex isn’t about to let anything happen to you.”

I look over at Alex, who stares back at me.

Without breaking eye contact, he brings his drink to his lips, his eyes never leaving mine.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach as my heart beats wildly beneath my rib cage.

This feeling is nothing like the panic that has overtaken me for years while under a man’s gaze. This is different. Unfamiliar in every way. Yet, dangerously comforting.

The past few days, we’ve built a routine between us. I spend the days with Clara while he works in his office or outside the house, always leaving his guard, Tommaso, on the property when he’s not there. And in the evening, he showers Clara with so much love and attention. Being a father that any little girl would be lucky to have.

After he puts her to bed, he spends his evenings cleaning. And I do mean…cleaning. Dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, laundry… You name it, he’s cleaning it. But it seems to calm him, so I don’t mention it. I just observe and wonder if cleaning helps him feel a semblance of control that he may otherwise not feel outside of his home.

Which makes me wonder… Am I causing chaos in his life without meaning to?

A server stands at the head of the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is prepared.”

The others begin to take their seats, but I hesitate, unsure which chair I’m supposed to occupy. Before I can ask, Alex pulls out a chair and regards me, inviting me to sit. I walk over and lower myself onto the seat. Without a word, he gently slides my chair in before taking his place beside me.

“I hope you like Italian,” Cecilia remarks as dishes are placed across the table.

A member of the staff appears at my side, filling my crystal glass with sparkling water, and I stare at the beverage, suddenly overcome with thirst. Around me, everyone reaches for their drinks without a second thought, continuing their dialogue as laughter drifts around the table. I wrap my fingers around the stem of my glass and lift it toward my lips, but before it touches them, I freeze.