Chapter 9 Julian
EVERYTHING WAS DIFFERENT.
I woke up the morning after Elio's hands on me feeling like a completely different person than I'd been twenty-four hours ago. My body felt awake in ways it never had before. Every nerve ending was aware. Alive. Singing with the memory of touch.
I got dressed and stared at myself in the mirror. Looked the same. But I felt fundamentally changed. Like Elio had unlocked something in me that couldn't be put back.
I touched my lips. Still felt the ghost of his kiss there. Still felt his hands on my skin. Still heard his voice saying you're mine now like a promise.
My phone buzzed.
Breakfast in my office in 30 minutes. We need to finalize the Winston strategy with Sandro. Professional meeting. Behave yourself.
I smiled at the last part.
Yes, sir.
His response was immediate: Don't call me that unless you want me to cancel the meeting and keep you in my office all day.
Heat flooded through me. I bit my lip and typed back: Noted for future reference.
You're going to be trouble, aren't you?
You have no idea.
I got ready and headed to Elio's office exactly thirty minutes later. Professional. Appropriate. Ready to discuss strategy.
When I walked in, Elio was at his desk reviewing documents. He looked up. Our eyes met.
For just a second—barely a heartbeat—his expression softened. Heated. Showed me everything he was thinking. Everything he remembered from last night.
Then control slammed back into place.
"Julian. Good. Sandro will be here in five minutes. Sit." He gestured to the chair across from his desk. Professional distance. "We're presenting the final evidence package against your father. I need you to walk us through the timeline one more time. Make sure we haven't missed anything."
I sat down and pulled out my notes. Tried to ignore how my hands were shaking slightly. How my body was hyperaware of every movement Elio made.
We reviewed the documents in silence. Professional. Focused. Like last night hadn't happened.
But under the desk, Elio's foot touched mine.
Just barely. Just enough for me to know it was deliberate.
My breath caught. I looked up. Elio's expression was perfectly neutral. But his eyes held heat.
"This section needs clarification," he said, pointing to a document. "Explain the connection between these payments and the intelligence sharing."
I leaned forward to look at what he was indicating. As I did, Elio's hand moved—just slightly—to rest on the desk near mine. Not touching. But close enough that I could feel the warmth.
"The payments correspond to dates when my father provided information about the Castellano family's operations," I explained. My voice came out steadier than I felt. "Each transfer of funds matches a documented instance of intelligence sharing with Agent Watson."
"Good. Sandro will want that clearly outlined."
His finger brushed against mine. Barely. Just enough to send electricity up my arm.
I met his eyes. Saw the corner of his mouth twitch. He was doing this on purpose. Testing my ability to maintain composure.
Two could play that game.
"What about the correspondence with the Romano family?" I asked, shifting closer on the pretense of pointing something out. My knee pressed against his under the desk. "That shows a pattern of betrayal across multiple families, not just isolated incidents."
Elio's jaw tightened slightly. The only sign I'd affected him.
"That's an excellent point. We should—"
A knock on the door interrupted him.
We both pulled back immediately. Professional distance restored.
"Come in," Elio called.
Sandro entered, followed by Luca. Both took seats at the small conference table in Elio's office.
"Let's see what we have," Sandro said.
The next hour was pure business. I walked them through the evidence. Explained the timeline. Answered questions about my father's operations and his relationship with Agent Watson.
Elio was completely professional. Addressed me formally. Maintained perfect distance. Gave nothing away.
But I caught him watching me when he thought no one was looking. Saw the heat in his eyes when I made a particularly good point. Noticed how his posture shifted when Luca made a comment that could've been interpreted as flirtatious.
Possessive. Protective. Completely controlled on the surface but simmering underneath.
It made me want to push. To test how far I could go before that control cracked in front of others.
I behaved. Barely.
The meeting ended around noon. Sandro and Luca left to start making arrangements for the information leak. Elio closed the door behind them.
The moment the lock clicked, he crossed to me.
Pulled me up from my chair and kissed me hard.
I gasped into his mouth. Kissed back with enthusiasm. Let him crowd me against the desk and show me everything he'd been holding back for the past hour.
When he pulled back, I was breathing hard.
"You're a menace," he said. His voice was rough. "Pressing your knee against mine during a strategy meeting. Testing my control in front of Sandro and Luca."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I was completely professional."
"You were deliberately provocative." His hands gripped my hips. "And if we didn't have afternoon meetings scheduled, I'd show you exactly what happens when you test me like that."
"Promises, promises."
He kissed me again. Softer this time. "Tonight. My apartment. If you want."
"I want."
"Good. Now get out of here before I forget we have work to do."
I left his office with my heart racing and anticipation building.
***
Stefan cornered me in the hallway twenty minutes later.
"So," he said casually. "You and Elio."
I tried to look innocent. "What about us?"
"Please. You look..." Stefan studied me. "Lighter. Less tense. Like someone who finally got something they wanted." He smiled. "Something changed. Something good. I'm guessing something happened between you."
I felt heat rise to my face. "Is it that obvious?"
"To someone who knows what to look for? Yes. To everyone else? Probably not yet. But Julian?" Stefan's voice softened. "I'm happy for you. You deserve this."
"Thank you. For understanding."
"Of course. We former princes have to stick together." He squeezed my shoulder. "But be careful. These men—Elio especially—they feel things intensely even when they pretend they don't. When they finally let someone in, it's all-consuming. Make sure you're ready for that."
"I am ready."
"Are you? Because Elio's not going to do anything halfway. Once he's committed, he'll be completely committed. Possessive. Protective. Sometimes overwhelming in his intensity. That's a lot to handle."
"I can handle it."
"I believe you." Stefan's expression softened. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here. I know what it's like to navigate a relationship in this world. It's complicated. But it's worth it."
I worked with Stefan for the rest of the afternoon. Going through financial records. Organizing data. Building the case against my father.
But my mind kept drifting to tonight. To Elio's apartment. To whatever would happen when we were alone together again.
***
Around four, Sandro appeared in Stefan's office doorway.
"Julian. Can I borrow you for a minute?"
Stefan gave me an encouraging nod. I followed Sandro to his private office.
It was impressive. Expensive. Everything carefully curated to project power and success. Sandro gestured to a chair.
"Sit."
I sat. Tried not to look nervous.
Sandro leaned against his desk. Studied me for a moment.
"I'm going to ask you a direct question and I need an honest answer."
"Okay."
"Is Elio treating you appropriately?"
The question surprised me. "Yes. Of course. Why would you—"
"Because I've known Elio for fifteen years.
I've watched him maintain perfect distance from everyone.
Never let anyone close. Never show personal interest in anyone.
" Sandro's voice was calm. Matter-of-fact.
"And now suddenly he's looking at you like you're something incredible.
Something he wants to keep. That's a significant change.
I need to make sure it's a change you want. That you're comfortable with."
I realized what this was. Sandro was protecting me. Making sure Elio wasn't taking advantage. Making sure I had a voice if I needed it.
It was touching. Even if it was completely unnecessary.
"There's nothing inappropriate happening," I said carefully. "Everything that's happened between us has been mutual. Wanted. By both of us."
"You're twenty-one. Elio's thirty-five. That's a significant age gap."
"I know. I don't care."
"And the power dynamic? He's responsible for your security. You're living here under our protection. That creates an imbalance."
"I'm aware of the complications." I met Sandro's eyes. "But I'm also an adult making an informed choice. Elio hasn't pressured me. Hasn't used his position to coerce me. If anything, he's been trying to maintain distance and I've been the one pushing."
Sandro was quiet for a moment. Then: "What do you think about age gaps? Generally speaking."
The question was clearly a test. I thought about it carefully.
"I think context matters. If both people are adults making informed choices, age is just a number.
But if there's coercion or manipulation or one person taking advantage of the other's vulnerability, that's different.
That's wrong." I paused. "Elio isn't taking advantage of me.
He's been careful. Respectful. He checks in constantly to make sure I'm comfortable.
The only thing he's guilty of is caring too much about doing the right thing. "
Sandro smiled slightly. "That sounds like Elio. Overthinking everything. Trying to protect everyone from himself."
"Exactly. So if you're worried he's taking advantage, don't be. If anything, I'm the one who had to convince him this was okay."
"And you're sure this is what you want?"
"Completely sure."