~ELENA~

The door closes with a soft click behind us, and it sounds louder than thunder in my ears.

The room is dim, lit only by the faint glow of the bedside lamp I forgot to turn off earlier. Vincenzo stands there with me still in his arms, breathing hard, chest rising and falling against mine. Everything feels too fast. Too real.

Too dangerous.

He lowers me onto the edge of the bed slowly, like he’s afraid I might vanish if he lets go too suddenly.

My legs feel weak beneath me. My hands are still clutching his shirt like I don’t quite remember how to let go.

His eyes...