Chapter 54

*Grace POV*

For days, a troubling thought had been festering in my mind. Sony had said once that if he decided to betray someone, no one would know it was him. The more I thought about it, the more unsettling it became, especially after Elio had mentioned that someone had manipulated my father into betraying the Domenico family. What if that manipulator was Sony himself?

But asking Elio about this would be difficult. He had always been tight-lipped, conditioned to fend for himself in a world that saw vulnerability as a weakness. Despite our recent closeness, there were walls around him that even I hadn’t fully broken down. Still, I needed answers.

I took a steadying breath and knocked on the door of his office. When I heard a low murmur—probably him talking to himself as he often did when buried in work—I opened the door. Elio’s head lifted from a stack of files, and his eyes softened when he saw me. That slight smile he gave me was enough to make the weight of my worries lift, if only for a moment.

“Do you need anything, honey?” he asked, his voice smooth, and I felt warmth creep up my cheeks.

Steeling myself, I moved toward him. “When I was five years old, my father told me he was in the mafia. He said that some days, suspicious people might be hanging around the house, and that I shouldn’t be afraid.”

Elio’s eyebrows shot up. I could see the surprise in his eyes; clearly, he didn’t know where I was going with this.

“What’s this about?” he asked, tilting his head.

I gave a small smile. “I want you to know things about me. So I thought I’d start with this…piece of my life.”

He regarded me for a moment, his expression softening further as he absorbed my words. Then he beckoned me closer. I took a step, and he took my hand, pulling me gently onto his lap. Settled there, with his warmth surrounding me, I felt more grounded, yet my heart raced with anticipation.

“So does that mean I should share something, too?” he asked, his voice a low murmur against my ear.

“Only if you want to,” I whispered, trying to keep my tone casual. But inside, I was desperate to know more about him, to understand the man hidden behind his guarded exterior.

He leaned closer, his face hovering near my neck, his breath warm against my skin. I shivered as he took a slow, deep breath, as if breathing me in, his nose tracing the curve of my neck. It was like he needed me as much as I needed him, and that thought sent a thrill down my spine.

“Many years ago…” he began, his voice barely a whisper. “I…liked someone.” He paused, as though weighing his words. “My father… I think he found out. A week later, she broke up with me. Just like that.”

I felt a pang of jealousy, even though it was clear this was a story from his past. I knew I had no reason to feel this way, but it was hard to shake the possessiveness I felt toward him. I shifted slightly, turning my face to meet his gaze.

“Do you still love her?” I asked, my voice small and unsure.

Elio chuckled softly, his gaze unwavering. “No. And honestly, I don’t think I ever truly loved her, because I never even tried to look her up afterward, to find out why.”

He held my gaze for a beat longer, then leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek. His lips lingered, soft and warm against my skin, and I felt a rush of affection and relief. The vulnerability in his eyes was something he rarely allowed me to see, and I cherished this glimpse into the man behind the mask.

In that quiet moment, with his arms wrapped around me and his lips pressed to my cheek, I felt closer to him than I ever had before. I didn’t need grand declarations or promises. This was enough.

“Elio,” I murmured, “I’ve been thinking a lot about… everything. About my father, the betrayal, and Sony.”

He pulled back slightly, his gaze turning sharp. “Grace…”

“Just hear me out.” I squeezed his hand, my voice steady. “When I was talking to your father, he said something strange—that if he decided to betray someone, no one would know it was him. It’s been gnawing at me. I keep wondering…what if he was the one who set up my father? What if he’s the reason my dad felt he had to betray the Domenico family?”

Elio’s eyes darkened, his expression hardening as he absorbed my words. He let out a long, slow breath, his jaw clenched. “You’re not wrong to suspect him. My father… he’s always been ruthless. But…” He hesitated, as if torn between protecting me and telling me the truth. “If he were behind it, he wouldn’t leave any trace. That’s how he works—every move calculated.”

I reached up, brushing my fingers over his cheek, hoping to ease the tension I saw there. “Elio, you don’t have to carry all of this alone. I want to help you, even if it’s dangerous. I’m here for you.”

He took my hand, pressing it to his lips. His eyes held a storm of emotions, and for a moment, I thought he might refuse my help. But then he let out a soft sigh, leaning his forehead against mine.

“I’ve been taught to keep everyone at arm’s length,” he said quietly. “It’s how I survived in this world. But with you… it’s different. I can’t keep pretending I don’t care. It’s exhausting.”

My heart swelled at his admission, and I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close. “Then don’t pretend,” I whispered. “Not with me.”

He lifted his head, and our gazes locked. For a moment, he looked vulnerable, stripped of the hardened exterior he always wore. His hand came up to cradle my face, and he kissed me—a slow, tender kiss that spoke of all the things he hadn’t said.

We stayed like that, lost in each other, until the world outside his office felt distant and unimportant. When we finally broke apart, his hand remained on my cheek, his thumb gently tracing a line along my skin.

“I don’t know how to do this,” he admitted softly. “I don’t know how to let someone in without risking everything.”

I placed my hand over his, my gaze unwavering. “Then let me show you how. One step at a time.”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm, and for the first time, I saw a hint of peace in his eyes. “You’re more stubborn than I gave you credit for,” he murmured, his lips curving into a rare smile.

I laughed, leaning my head against his chest. “You have no idea.”

In that quiet moment, with his arms around me and his heart beating steady beneath my cheek, I felt a new determination settle within me. Elio had lived in shadows for so long, convinced he was alone. But I would prove to him that he didn’t have to be. Whatever lay ahead, I would stand by his side, no matter the danger.

For now, that was enough.