Dark love

of grim ancestors, and a table long enough to seat a monarch's council. Elena Bellini entered as she alw

presence was currency. And tod

es, murmuring pleasantries over espresso. Elena offered he

l water pitchers. Ne

he head of the ta

n't bre

t just beneath the surface, tension thr

e walk

eo R

ed in black with no tie, his presence radiating like a magnetic

second. But she saw it-the briefest flicker

od moti

was

e moved, all command and quiet precision. The same voice that had murmured agai

k his seat across from her. "I've h

able. Measured. Per

tching him beat for beat.

thentication processes, gallery projections. Elena answered every

r hands were clenched so

with polite nods and brief chatter. Giulia followed

they we

didn't

at the m

led, just f

t?" he said coolly. "You r

ed on no names, no expectations. I was fine with that. But-" She swallo

. "I don't like g

voice broke slightly, j

at followed wa

tween them was electric, charged with di

e it's mine," he sai

her eyes flashing. "But we can take a test if

or the first time. Not the art consultant, not

e," he said slowly. "But I als

pped, standing. "Not money. Not interference. I c

ourtesy-when you're

down at him

said. "Alone, if I have

d. "You've don

ve, but his voice

le

fferent than it had in the boardroom-ro

anges thing

around. "Only if

all echoed with the s

e head of his empire, staring

ime in years, he di