“We stayed in bed all day yesterday.” She laughs as I press my knee between her thighs. “You know everyone in the house is gossiping about us. Not to mention Ocean and Magic. They’ve been texting me nonstop.”

“You’re mine, Carina. Everyone else is just noise.” I lick her throat again.

She sighs. “I wish we could just stay here. But we can’t. The plan—”

“I don’t like it.” I lift up on my elbows and stare down at her.

She cups my cheek. “I know, but it’s a good plan.”

“Even so.” I know Antonio would never put her in danger, but just the thought of her spending any time with Falco alone makes my fury bubble and burn.

“We have to neutralize Falco. This is the best way to do it. All I have to do is show up for the date, spend a tiny amount of time with him, then leave. After that—”

“The Butcher and I hijack him, take him somewhere private, and handle him. I know the plan, Rebel, but that doesn’t mean I like it.”

“It’s safe this way. We know where he’ll be and when, and none of the families can point the finger at us because I’ll be out of the picture by the time you and Butcher kidnap him. Not to mention, Antonio and Angelica will be at dinner at the LaPaglia family’s house, totally above suspicion.”

I sigh and roll over, bringing her with me so she’s perched on top of me. “I don’t want him anywhere near you.”

She smirks. “Because you’re jealous?”

“No, because I love you.”

Her eyes widen.

Now it’s my turn to smirk. “Have I finally managed to leave you speechless?”

She stares for a moment, then a smile breaks across her perfect face. “Really?”

“Yes really. Maybe you’ve noticed that I can’t stand to be away from you, I can’t ignore you even though I fucking tried, and I’m completely obsessed with you.”

Her smile grows bigger, then falters. “I don’t know. I mean, you’ve always been here, always been loyal to my brother—”

“No.” I shake my head.

“No?” She arches a brow and rests her chin on my chest.

“I’m loyal to you. Before anyone else.”

“Even Antonio?”

“Even him.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “I’m in love with you, Carina. Have been for a long time. I haven’t stuck around here for Antonio’s sparkling personality.”

She snorts.

“I’ve stayed for you. Only you.”

The way she looks at me—it makes it hard to breathe. The trust in her eyes, the admiration—it almost hurts.

“I love you too. I’ve loved you for longer than I think is even legal.” She quirks a brow. “But one day I just knew I’d never get over you.”