Chapter 53

\*Grace POV\*

After Elio left the house, his face clouded with the remnants of his father’s threats, I joined Eleonor in the kitchen. She worked in silence at first, casting worried glances my way as if half-expecting Sony to storm back in, his rage unquenched. I knew she was still on edge after what happened, her face drawn and tense.

When I finally convinced her I was okay, her demeanor shifted, and a curious glint appeared in her eyes. I could feel her silent questions hanging in the air as we went about our tasks. Every time I caught her glancing at me, my cheeks turned red, betraying the thoughts racing through my mind. I couldn’t shake the memory of Elio’s lips on mine, of the way he had looked at me as though he were finally letting himself feel everything he’d tried so hard to deny.

By midday, we had finished our work, and Eleonor suggested we take a break. We settled down in the living room, relaxing into the armchairs, and for a moment, there was peace.

Then Eleonor broke the silence with a mischievous smile. “So… are you and the master a couple now?” Her eyes sparkled with interest, and it was clear she wasn’t going to let this conversation slip by.

I laughed nervously, trying to ignore the blush creeping over my cheeks. “We’re not a couple. If I told Elio that, he’d probably shut me out all over again.” I bit my lip, choosing my words carefully. “I just…asked him to stop pushing me away. I wanted him to see that having feelings doesn’t make him weak.”

She raised her eyebrow, an amused smile playing on her lips. “And that kiss this morning was because…?”

\*Oh god.\* I felt the heat rise to my face and looked away, rubbing the back of my neck. “It wasn’t our first kiss,” I admitted softly. “We’ve…shared a few moments like that before.”

Eleonor’s expression softened, her eyes warm as she regarded me like a mother waiting to hear about her child’s first crush. Her patience and kindness made me want to tell her everything, even if the thought of Elio and me becoming anything more seemed both impossible and dangerous.

But despite our conversation, my mind kept drifting to the front door. I couldn’t help but worry about where Elio had gone and whether he was safe. In the world he lived in, every venture, every deal, was filled with risks I couldn’t fully understand.

“You worry about him,” Eleonor said gently, breaking into my thoughts.

I nodded, glancing at the clock. \*Almost noon and he’s not back yet.\* “It’s hard not to,” I admitted, feeling a tightness in my chest. “There are times I can feel the weight he carries, and I want to tell him he doesn’t have to do it all alone. But he’s so used to protecting everyone else… I don’t think he knows how to let someone protect him.”

“Give him time,” Eleonor replied, leaning back with a thoughtful look. “Elio’s been raised in this life—a world where love is a liability. I’ve seen how his father shaped him. Sony made sure Elio’s heart was a fortress. But maybe,” she added, smiling softly, “you’re the key.”

Just as I was about to respond, the front door creaked open. Elio stepped inside, looking weary and disheveled, but his intense gaze found mine immediately. Relief washed over me, and I quickly stood, fighting the impulse to run to him. I caught Eleonor’s knowing smile out of the corner of my eye as she excused herself, disappearing down the hall to give us privacy.

“Elio,” I said, meeting him halfway. “Are you okay?”

He nodded, his expression softening as he looked at me. “I am now.”

“Did everything go all right?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He hesitated, glancing around as if making sure we were truly alone, and then he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “My father’s anger… it’s more dangerous than you know,” he said quietly. “If he found out that you mean something to me…” His voice trailed off, and his gaze hardened, a shadow crossing his face. “I won’t let him use you as a pawn.”

I reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Elio, I’m not afraid of him. I’m only afraid that you’ll shut me out again.”

He looked down at our joined hands, something like sorrow flickering in his eyes. “Grace… I never wanted you to be part of this world.”

“I know,” I replied softly. “But I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere.”

He didn’t pull his hand away, and in that moment, his expression softened. He reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering at my cheek. The vulnerability I saw in his eyes made my heart ache. He was trying to protect me, and yet here I was, hoping he would finally let me in.

“Elio…” I began, swallowing hard. “If you’ll let me…I want to be here for you, even in this world of yours. We don’t have to call it anything. We don’t have to make any promises. But just…don’t push me away.”

He looked at me, and for a heartbeat, I thought he was going to pull back. But then he leaned closer, brushing his lips softly over mine, as if testing a boundary neither of us could define. The kiss was gentle, almost hesitant, but I felt his emotions pouring out, more than he could ever put into words.

When he finally pulled back, he held my gaze, his hand still resting against my cheek. “I can’t promise you that this will be easy,” he whispered. “There will be nights when I’ll be gone, and days when I can’t tell you where I’ve been.”

“I understand,” I replied, my voice steady. “I don’t need to know everything, Elio. I just need to know that I’m not alone in this.”

He nodded, his expression a mixture of relief and regret. “You’re not alone, Grace. Not as long as I’m here.”

We stood in silence, our breaths mingling, and I felt the tension drain from my shoulders. For the first time, I felt that I had reached a part of him no one else had ever touched, a place he had kept hidden even from himself. I knew it wouldn’t erase the dangers we faced, but in that moment, it didn’t matter. This was enough.

After a while, he finally stepped back, running a hand through his hair with a weary smile. “I should get cleaned up,” he said, glancing down at his wrinkled shirt.

I nodded, trying to ignore the pang of disappointment at the distance between us. But before he could walk away, I reached out and caught his hand, holding it tightly. “Promise me one thing, Elio,” I said, meeting his gaze.

“Anything,” he murmured, his voice warm.

“Promise me you’ll remember that you’re allowed to let your guard down, even if it’s only for a moment.” My heart pounded as I spoke, and I could see the surprise in his eyes.

A slow smile crept across his lips, and he nodded. “I’ll try,” he whispered.

He gave my hand a final squeeze before releasing it and heading down the hall. I watched him disappear, feeling a new strength blossom within me. For the first time since stepping into his world, I felt that I had a place here—not just by his side, but in his heart.

As I settled back into the armchair, Eleonor reappeared, her eyes glinting with the same motherly amusement. She gave me a small nod, a silent acknowledgment that she’d witnessed the beginning of something neither of us could fully understand.

I smiled back, feeling a quiet thrill as I looked toward the hallway where Elio had gone. For better or worse, I was here to stay. And I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together.