POV: Antonio
I am Antonio Morroni. My name speaks for itself. Never in my thirty years of life have I been this intrigued by someone.
She stood behind the bar, serving drinks, yet her presence commanded the entire room. I could feel her eyes on me long before I reached her. And when I did—when I stood right in front of her—I understood why. Emerald green eyes, pale skin, and soft brown hair… she had a way of making a man forget everything else.
I knew I had made an impression. I saw it in her gaze—something bold, something dangerous, something she was trying hard to suppress. That silent frustration only drew me in further.
Her boldness was unfamiliar territory for me. I felt a possessive urge rise within—an instinct to eliminate every man who dared to approach her. But I restrained myself. I may be reckless, unforgiving even, but I am not careless… not with her. Not yet.
Instead, I gave quiet instructions to my men and kept my attention fixed on her. The way she moved, the subtle sway of her body—it was enough to test my control.
She was… captivating. And I knew, in that moment, I could not simply walk away.
Like any patient man would, I waited outside her workplace for her shift to end. A cigar between my fingers, my thoughts wandering in directions I rarely allowed them to. Then I heard someone behind me mutter, "What a sight."
I smirked.
She stepped out—wearing a cream shirt, the top buttons undone, paired with a black skirt that did little to hide her allure. She looked effortlessly confident, and entirely irresistible. Her breathing fratic , her face flushed she looked like she was ready to be devoured.
I crushed my cigar under my heel.
From there, everything unfolded exactly as I intended. Her sharp glare when I made a remark in the car only amused me. No one had ever dared to look at me like that before.
My Velvet.Mine, the thought came uninvited. Not spoken. Not negotiated. Simply decided.
I claimed her the moment that thought crossed my mind.
By the time we reached the hotel, everything had already been arranged. James, my most trusted subordinate, had seen to it. Yet, for once, control felt like an illusion. There was a desperation in me—a need I couldn't quite explain.
Hours passed in a blur of intensity, until eventually, exhaustion claimed her.
Later, I cleaned her up gently and lay beside her. And for the first time in a long while, I slept… deeply.
Morning came, but she remained asleep—peaceful, untouched by the storm of the night before. I didn't have the heart to wake her.
I saw the condition of her clothes and felt a bit guilty it was wearable but messed up so I collected them and placed them neatly .
Which was definitely not me .
I left a note.
"I had fun last night and I hope you find a good replacement for your clothes "
And left a check beside the note —for her clothes, which were no longer in the condition they once were. Before leaving, I instructed James not to let her be alone until she chose to return home. And to have someone watch over her… discreetly.
She didn't need to know.
Not yet. I stepped out, the city already moving beneath me, but my thoughts remained behind—in that room, with her.
Some things you walk away from.
Others…
You make sure can never walk away from you.
I would see her again soon.
After all… ..this was only the beginning.