I signed the truce at midnight. He folded the corner where my thumbprint indented the paper and looked like a man deciding my fate.
Lorenzo Romano: gray eyes that catalogued me, a crescent scar that made him more dangerous than any threat, coat half off and a promise in his mouth. He runs a palazzo and runs it cold. He is flinty and absurdly careful. He guards like he's defending a war chest. He wants me. He says he'll protect me. He also signs the papers that will put distance between us.
I came to his study to broker peace for my brother. I left with my name on his lips, coffee made my way, and a secret ritual—one honest sentence before sleep. We burned rules in a villa kitchen. We burned desire in a public courtyard. I fed him sauce. He fed me safety. Then Rome demanded proof. Carlo sent ultimatums. Don Marco called a council. The cameras waited.
They want my obedience. They want my love as leverage. He can be the target instead of me. He can make himself less useful to them to keep me safe. Or I can stand in the light and risk being weaponized.
He says he'll choose me every day. I say I'll stand with him. Can we keep what we make without losing everything?
Lorenzo Romano: gray eyes that catalogued me, a crescent scar that made him more dangerous than any threat, coat half off and a promise in his mouth. He runs a palazzo and runs it cold. He is flinty and absurdly careful. He guards like he's defending a war chest. He wants me. He says he'll protect me. He also signs the papers that will put distance between us.
I came to his study to broker peace for my brother. I left with my name on his lips, coffee made my way, and a secret ritual—one honest sentence before sleep. We burned rules in a villa kitchen. We burned desire in a public courtyard. I fed him sauce. He fed me safety. Then Rome demanded proof. Carlo sent ultimatums. Don Marco called a council. The cameras waited.
They want my obedience. They want my love as leverage. He can be the target instead of me. He can make himself less useful to them to keep me safe. Or I can stand in the light and risk being weaponized.
He says he'll choose me every day. I say I'll stand with him. Can we keep what we make without losing everything?