**MATEO'S POV**

I floated on my back in the infinity pool, arms spread wide, letting the warm water cradle my body while the afternoon light poured through the glass ceiling of the penthouse. Meetings could wait. The world could wait. Today I needed this - a few quiet hours to rest, to think, to stop pretending I wasn't counting every second until Isabella was back where she belonged.

My phone sat on the edge of the deck, dry and waiting. I reached for it, water dripping down my arm, and dialed the number I'd saved but never bothered using before today.

Lukas answered instantly.

"You're calling me for the first...