Elena lay still, her body limp in the aftermath of her surrender.
Her breath was unsteady, her pulse still racing.
But it wasn't from fear.
Not anymore.
Because something had changed.
She could feel it.
Not just in herself—but in him.
Alessio was still hovering over her, his presence overwhelming.
But for the first time, his grip on her wasn't one of dominance or control.
It was something else.
Something softer.
Something… dangerous.
Because Alessio wasn't supposed to be gentle.
Not with her.
Not with anyone.
And yet—
He was.
Just for a moment.
His fingers traced a slow path down her arm, the same touch that had once held power now holding something else entirely.
Something she couldn't name.
Something he wouldn't admit.
Elena swallowed, daring to glance up at him.
And when she did—
Her heart stopped.
Because Alessio wasn't looking at her like a possession.
Like something he had conquered.
He was looking at her like she mattered.
Like she was something more.
And that terrified her more than anything else.
Because men like Alessio weren't supposed to feel.
And yet, as his fingers brushed over her jaw, as his gaze darkened in something she couldn't quite place—
She realized the truth.
Maybe he didn't want to.
Maybe he didn't understand it.
But Alessio felt something for her.
And for a man like him—
That was dangerous.