After a few minutes, I hear the heavy footsteps of Raphael and the clicking heels of Isabella heading towards the exit, then fading behind the elevator doors. I then feel Ezio's arms wrap around me.

"You were strong tonight," he whispers into my neck.

"I know, but I'm tired of hearing that I'm a burden. That everything is my fault when it's just a pretext for the Condore family to target you, and even without me, other things would have happened."

I turn to face him, losing myself in the depths of his intense blue eyes.

"I understand you, but please, never threaten my father again."

"Why ?"

"Because it would push him to a Vendetta, and I'd be forced to fight against him for you," he admits with a smile. "More seriously, you don't know what he's capable of, and believe me, you don't want to find out."

"Would he try something even if we were together ?Or even married ?"

He smiles broadly at the idea.

"He knows no limits."

His words send a shiver down my spine, as I can only imagine the truth behind them. Despite my fear of one day discovering what Raphael is capable of, I can't help but stand up to him and assert my character. Ezio's unwavering support comforts me, even though I know it might not be enough to defeat his father. Sure, he's an ally, but to what extent ? 

Lost in my thoughts, I mechanically let him kiss me tenderly before heading back inside. I then grab his wrist, causing him to turn around, intrigued.

"Ezio, I need you. Help me harden and think like the mafia. I want to start my revenge against the Condore family; I don't want to wait any longer."

"May, a good mafioso hardens with time and experience. It's not something you can learn; it's something you live. I've taught you the basics of self-defense. What I can teach you more are combat and evasion techniques, but nothing more. As for thinking like the mafia, you already do very well without my help. You've quickly grasped our mindset and understood what the word 'mafia' entails, but again, you'll learn even better with time."

"Then teach me what I need to learn and help me fill my gaps and plan my revenge."

"I hope you're patient because it's not something that can be planned overnight. We can never be sure how things will turn out or if they can be carried out successfully. But I will help you, of course, and we'll do everything to succeed."

"Thank you, Ezio. I will be patient and a good student," I say in a sultry voice, biting my lip.

He moves closer to me and lifts my chin with his finger. He brushes his lips against mine, then licks and nibbles my ear. I moan, feeling the heat rise within me.

"Do you feel strong enough for this ?"

I kiss his neck and whisper in his ear:

"Always."

He seizes my lips and kisses me passionately, fervently, as if it were the last time. He lifts me, placing his hands under my buttocks, and I wrap my legs around his waist. As we kiss, he carries me to the kitchen, setting me down on the central island. We share a torrid kiss, and I remove his t-shirt. He kisses my neck and then takes off my top. He suddenly pulls back.

"No, I can't. I don't want to hurt you."

The desire pulsing in my veins had made me forget about the bruises on my body. I look down at myself and then back at Ezio.

"Hey, it's okay. You won't hurt me."

I take his hand and place it on my bruises.

"See ? Everything is fine, the pain has almost gone."

"No, I'm sorry, but this isn't right. I'd be too afraid that every touch might hurt you or that I wouldn't be careful enough. I wouldn't be in the moment because the fear of hurting you would take over. Look at yourself, you look like a Smurf in the middle of a transformation."

I laugh at his joke and kiss him.

"No sex tonight, understood, boss."

"No sex at all until you're fully healed. Believe me, it's going to be very hard, but I'd rather that than risk hurting you."

"Not even any foreplay ?"

"No, it will only increase the desire. Let's try to take on this challenge," he proposes, smiling.

I tighten my legs around his waist and move closer to him, brushing my chest against his torso. Determined not to listen to him, I run my hand through his hair and brush my lips against his ear.

"Don't blame me if I make it difficult for you."

I then lick his earlobe and nibble it. I feel his hands grip my thighs in pleasure. A growl escapes his mouth as he struggles with himself. I turn to face him and see him biting his lip, smiling, his eyes torn between frustration and desire.

"You'll regret building up the tension like this," he warns, putting his t-shirt back on.

"We'll see about that," I retort, walking towards the couch, slapping my butt and swaying my hips, knowing he's watching.

He clears his throat and pours himself a glass of whiskey before sitting in the armchair to the left of the couch where I'm sitting.

"Let's focus on this revenge. We need to gather as much information as possible about the Condore family and find their weak points. From there, we can decide how to act."

"I'm in. How do we go about this kind of research ? Computer ? Detective ?"

"Honestly, both. We hire someone to dig up all the skeletons in the closet and also do basic and more in-depth research on the darknet, to which we have exclusive access as mafia barons. This allows us to see activities or even ads that might give us clues about their actions."

"Fascinating ! We have a lot of investigative work ahead !"

Ezio smiles at my enthusiasm and drinks his glass in one go.

"Alright, let's go to bed. It's late, and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

I take his hand and follow him. As soon as we lie down in bed, I fall asleep, exhausted by the emotions. I wake up to Ezio's kisses on my skin. We're in a spooning position, and I feel his hand caressing my thighs. He touches me delicately but with just enough pressure to build the tension. His hand moves up to my buttocks, then my hips, until he finds one of my breasts and fondles it. I feel his warm breath in the crook of my neck as he presses his body against mine, rubbing his penis against my buttocks.

"I didn't know you were such a masochist; you're torturing yourself," I say, my voice sleepy but my senses awake.

"I think I'm torturing both of us."

I laugh and turn to face him. I seize his mouth and kiss him passionately. I bite his lip, and he lets out a moan. I push him against the mattress and climb on top of him. I grind against his already hard penis.

"Are you sure you want to play ?"

"I'm a gambler; I like taking risks."

I take off my t-shirt, then grab his hands and place one on my breast, licking and sucking his index and middle fingers with the other while looking at him. He withdraws his fingers and firmly grabs my buttocks, making me move back and forth on his penis. I lean over his neck, brushing my hardened nipples against his skin, then kiss and nibble him. I run my hand over his crotch through his boxers and start rubbing. I hear him moan and seize his lips. I kiss his jawline, then his neck, then his chest, and move down to his abs. I continue until I reach the elastic of his boxers. I grab it with my teeth, look at Ezio, and let go. He groans in pain and excitement. I kiss his penis through his boxers and lightly nibble it. I then move to the inside of his thighs and kiss them. I see him struggling internally with his desire, torn between taking me savagely and doing nothing. In a sudden move, he sits up. Sensually approaching him on all fours, I say:

"So, you admit defeat ?"

"You're driving me crazy, May."

He grabs me by the nape of my neck and presses his lips against mine. We kiss passionately, further intensifying the desire. Suddenly, Ezio jumps out of bed and raises his hands in the air.

"That's it, I admit defeat. I can't stay another minute in your enchanting presence. I'll try to find sleep on the couch."

I laugh before realizing he's serious.

"But Ezio, this is ridiculous. Let's make love and be done with it."

"No, May. We've already discussed this. I'm too afraid of hurting you. No matter how hard I try not to think about it, it resurfaces in my mind immediately. Forget it."

"Then at least sleep in the guest room."

"No, your scent is in the sheets. I won't be able to sleep. Good night, May. Sweet dreams."

He kisses me on the forehead, then vigorously grabs his pillow and goes to sleep on the couch.

Alone with my frustration amid this atmosphere charged with sexual tension, I sigh and collapse onto the bed. Trapped by my unfulfilled desire, I toss and turn before finally falling asleep after a long time.

A few hours later, I wake up with my body aching. Although I appear alone in bed, my frustration has never left me. I take a shower, get ready, and head downstairs. That's when I hear strange noises coming from the living room. The closer I get, the more I recognize them. They are sounds of pleasure. I walk towards the couch and find myself face-to-face with Isabella, who lifts her head with a smug expression. I don't see who's beneath her, but as my pulse quickens, I hear a voice I would recognize anywhere:

"Baby, why did you stop ?"