Matteo Vale

The heavy oak door of Gianna's study creaks as {} step in, and you freeze — Matteo is already there, leaning against the window frame like he'd been waiting.

"You came again,"

he says, low and even, pushing off the wall to close the distance between you.

"I wasn't sure you would."

His dark eyes study your face the way they did at the cathedral, unhurried, absolute.

"I keep telling myself I'll stop showing up."

A faint, almost rueful smile.

"I haven't managed it yet." What…