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I folded my arms around my waist to stop the shaking. My whole body was trembling as I faced him down, but not with fear—I knew he wouldn’t take me by force. I also felt sure, although he could be a violent man, he wouldn’t hit me. Not when he’d held me so securely every night. Perhaps that was just another sign of my naïveté, my addiction, the fact I had become obsessed with him as well as the sex over the past week. But I clung to the conviction now, determined to stand my ground and make him listen.

‘You want me, Eva,’ he growled. ‘Do not pretend otherwise.’

Humiliation engulfed me.

God, he could probably smell my arousal. The slickness in my sex something I couldn’t prevent whenever he reached for me, however upset I was with him—and my situation.

‘I know I do, but I want to talk to Mia more. And we’re not having sex again until I do.’

His nostrils flared, his lips pursing into a tight line of displeasure. But there was something else in his eyes, something I’d seen before but only fleetingly…

Admiration.

Painful hope blossomed under my breastbone.

During the past week, every time he’d held me, every time we’d made love, I’d been determined not to make too much of the visceral physical connection we shared. All I really knew about this man was that he was dangerous, and ruthless, and he desired me.

But even so, the hope pressed against my ribs now, when his frown deepened.

He dug his fists into his trouser pockets and angled his head to one side, his gaze sweeping over me, his eyes narrowing, and while I could see annoyance and irritation, I realised he was taking my request seriously.

Eventually, he gave a disgruntled sound, but then he tugged his phone out of his pocket to tap out a message.

The hope became so huge it made me feel lightheaded.

Seconds later, the phone rang.

I jumped, the noise almost as deafening as my heartbeat throbbing in my ears.

Connecting the video call, Dante lifted the phone and turned his back on me.

I heard Vito’s voice speaking in Italian. Then saw my brother-in-law’s face on the video app as I peered over Dante’s shoulder.

Vito sounded furious as he spoke to Dante in Italian—who didn’t reply. But then my brother-in-law’s gaze found me. ‘Evie, grazie a Dio. Are you OK? Are you well?’

I grasped Dante’s forearm. To my surprise, he allowed me to lower the phone so I could speak to Vito properly.

‘Yes, yes, Vito.’ Tears flooded my eyes as I searched the background for my sister.

‘If that bastard has hurt you, I will kill him,’ Vito said, his expression as violent as I had ever seen it.

‘He hasn’t… Really, he hasn’t. I’m safe and…’ The guilt wrapped around my throat as I thought of what I’d been doing with Dante while his brother and my sister had probably been beside themselves with worry. ‘Really, I’m good.’

Dante let out a grunt, which sounded cynical and amused rather than scared of Vito’s threat, then said something in Italian.

Vito replied in Italian, still furious.

‘Vito, please,’ I said, grabbing Dante’s arm again to speak into the phone. ‘Is Mia there, is she OK?’

The furious frown on his face disappeared. ‘Sì, she is well, Evie, and also our son.’

‘The b-baby’s been born?’ Joy rushed through me. But right behind it was the twinge of sadness and regret—because I hadn’t been there to support my sister for my nephew’s birth.

‘Sì, he is strong. And healthy,’ Vito said, the love on his face making my heart swell as he strode through the villa holding the phone. ‘Let me take you to see him and Mia,’ he added, entering the suite they shared.

Then Mia was in front of me, holding a tiny head to her breast. My heart slammed into my throat at the relief on her face when Vito murmured, ‘E tua sorella, Mia, sta bene.’

‘Evie. Thank God. Are you really OK?’ she asked as Vito lifted the baby out of her arms so she could take his phone.