POV Leo

I glare at a grinning Luca, but a grimace quickly replaces my anger when I remember how fast Victoria ran away.

I can still feel her warmth, and it causes a stirring in my stomach.

Despite my best efforts, I can't seem to push her away. It's impossible for me not to fall for her when she has the rosiest cheeks, radiant brown eyes, plump lips, gorgeous warm brown skin, and long black hair, which I want to run my fingers through. And her smile... fuck, it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

A few seconds ago, I was ready to swoop her in my arms and take her to Italy. The more she questions me and becomes frustrated, the more I want to tell her who I am and make her mine. It sounds easy, but it isn't. Nothing is ever easy. Not when you run a network of crime organizations. Bringing her into my life is equivalent to putting a gun against her head.

I'm brought out of my daze when Luca pinches my right cheek. I push his hand away.

He laughs. "Well, if I do say so myself, it looks like you're infatuated with Victoria." His eyebrows lift suggestively.

"What do you want?" I ask, tone flat.

Luca's arrogant smile falters when I don't confirm or deny his accusations.

"You're no fun," he says, handing me a large envelope.

I mutter unpleasant things to him as I make my way inside. The document he handed me reveals Adriano hasn't tried kidnapping the girls we rescued. We still don't know where he's hiding. But I know one thing: Adriano will be back for vengeance, and Victoria can't be anywhere near when it comes.

My time in France with her is ending. I can feel it. The longer she's with me, the more she suspects my identity. Soon I won't be able to keep her in the dark.

The half-lie I fed her fills me with guilt, but in my defense, I didn't lie to her. I am a businessperson. She simply didn't ask what kind of business I did.

I let out a breath remembering how she shivered from my touch and how her eyes darkened.

If Luca hadn't come when he did, I would have thrown all my restraints out of the window and kissed her, and she was ready to let me.

Luca, to my left, is looking at me, and he finds humor in my distress.

The left side of his mouth tips up, and he makes kissy faces.

Heat rushes up my body, reaching my face.

When he's going to say something stupid, I cut him off.

"Ti spezzerò le gambe." There's an edge to my voice, and he dodges my fist. All I hear is his obnoxious laughter as he rushes away from me.