Mine to keep

The first thing Alessandra became aware of was warmth.

Matteo's body was a furnace behind her, his arm draped possessively over her waist, his breathing slow and deep against her hair. Her limbs felt heavy, spent, and sore in a way that made her pulse flutter.

Every inch of her was marked by him.

She belonged to him now.

The thought should have terrified her, should have made her bolt out of bed, but instead, a strange sense of calm settled over her.

Matteo Corsini had ruined her—devoured her, dominated her, made her beg, and then, when she thought he would leave her shattered, he had pulled her close, wrapped her in his arms, and held her as if she were something fragile.

Alessandra turned her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the dimly lit bedroom. The scent of sex and sin lingered in the air, mingling with the faintest trace of Matteo's cologne. The sheets were an absolute mess, a testament to the night they'd spent tangled together.

A flush spread across her skin at the memory.

Her movement must have stirred him, because Matteo groaned softly, his grip tightening around her waist.

"You're awake," he murmured, voice thick with sleep.

Alessandra swallowed. "Yeah."

A slow, lazy smirk curved his lips. His fingers traced up her bare spine, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. "How do you feel?"

Destroyed. Claimed. Addicted.

She settled for, "Sore."

Matteo's low chuckle sent shivers down her spine. "Good."

Her heart gave a pathetic little lurch.

She should be pushing him away. Fighting the hold he had over her. But instead, she found herself sinking deeper into his embrace.

Matteo shifted, pressing a lingering kiss to her shoulder before sliding out of bed. Alessandra watched as he stretched, the morning light catching on the lines of his body. He looked like sin incarnate—mussed hair, bare chest, the faintest hint of bruises along his collarbone from where she had lost control.

Mine.

The thought came unbidden, and she bit her lip to keep it from spilling out loud.

"Stay here," Matteo said, ruffling his already disheveled hair. "I'll make you breakfast."

Alessandra blinked. "You cook?"

His smirk deepened. "You'll see, dolcezza."

And just like that, he was gone, leaving her alone in the wreckage of their night.

She exhaled sharply, running a hand over her face.

What the hell was she doing?

Luca.

Her stomach twisted at the thought. Luca was probably losing his mind, tearing through the city looking for her. He had always been possessive, but this? This would drive him insane.

And then there was the Ricci family.

Her pulse spiked.

If Luca had gone there looking for her—

Shit.

Alessandra threw off the covers and reached for her phone, but Matteo's voice stopped her.

"Don't."

She whirled to find him leaning against the doorframe, a fresh pair of sweatpants slung low on his hips, a towel draped over his shoulders.

Her throat went dry.

He was unfairly gorgeous, but there was something in his gaze now—dark, unreadable.

"Matteo—"

"I already know," he cut her off, strolling toward her with slow, measured steps. "Luca went to the Ricci family last night looking for you."

Her stomach dropped. "What?"

"He's losing his mind, cara. Stormed their estate demanding to know if you were there. He caused enough of a scene that I had to call in a few favors to keep things quiet."

Alessandra's head spun. If Luca had gone that far—

"How did you find out?" she whispered.

Matteo stopped in front of her, tilting her chin up so their eyes met.

"I know everything that happens in this city." His voice was calm, but there was a steel edge beneath it. "I made sure it didn't escalate, but Luca is getting desperate. He's not going to stop until he finds you."

Alessandra's pulse thrummed wildly.

Luca had always been protective, always territorial, but this… this was a storm waiting to break.

"I need to—"

"You need to stay," Matteo said smoothly. "I'll handle Luca."

Something in his tone made her shiver.

She searched his face, trying to find any cracks in that unshakable confidence. "And what if he comes here?"

Matteo's smirk was dark, almost cruel. "Then he'll finally understand that you belong to me."

The words sent a rush of heat through her, a thrill of something dangerous and reckless and undeniably right.

Alessandra should have argued. Should have pushed back. Should have reminded him that she wasn't some possession to be claimed.

But she didn't.

Because the truth was, Luca had lost his right to her the moment Matteo Corsini touched her.

The moment he broke her.

The moment he put her back together again.

Her fingers curled into the sheets, her breath shuddering.

Matteo studied her, his expression softening just enough. "Come on, dolcezza. You need to eat."

Alessandra slipped into a shirt he handed .

She hesitated for half a second before taking his hand.

And for the first time, she wasn't running.

She was exactly where she was meant to be.