The Prototype

66. Forgiveness

I gave a slow nod, my eyes sharpening. "Thank you."

"And I don't know if you got to the email or not, but we are having an event of our own," he continued. "We sent you an invite to RSVP. If you're able, we hope to see you."

I gave him a small, unreadable smile. "I appreciate that. I haven't had the time to go fully through my emails, but I appreciate the invitation. Once I check the details and go over my schedule, I'll see if I can make it."

Vittorio's lips curved slightly, a practiced expression. "Well, we hope to see you. We just wanted to extend our appreciation." He extended his hand once more.

I grasped it, my grip firm, final. "Thank y'all for coming. I hope you all continue to enjoy the rest of the night and all it has to offer."

They exchanged goodbyes with the rest of the group, but Adriano... Adriano's eyes lingered. Not on me. Not on the event.

On Tempest.

His stare was slow, deliberate, a look that crawled under my skin, making my hands twitch inside my pockets. My fingers curled, aching for a reason to close around something solid—his throat, a blade, a trigger.

The way he looked at her. The hunger. The audacity.

I'm used to men like Adriano. I've slit the throats of men like Adriano.

Tempest didn't notice the way his eyes traced over her, didn't see the way he took his time, drinking her in like he have a fucking right. But I noticed. Every second, every breath, every shift in his expression.

And it took everything in me not to wipe that look off his fucking face with my bare hands.

Instead, I exhaled slowly, letting the rage settle deep inside me, storing it for later, because there will be a later. Maybe not tonight but the time will come.

Adriano finally turned, finally pulling his eyes away from what he couldn't have, and followed Vittorio and Aldo as they walked off.

"Now that you're back," Joseph's voice cut through my lingering rage, dragging my attention to him, "I did my due diligence, making sure she's in good hands." His head nodded toward Tempest, his words holding weight. "Although Gianna and Gabriella are here now, I'll go and enjoy the rest of the event."

He extended his hand toward me, and I let out a low chuckle, shaking it firmly. "Well, I appreciate it. Enjoy yourself."

Joseph leaned in slightly, his voice dropping low, for my ears only. "Remember, some of our peers also carry our potential enemies. Keep your eyes open and keep her close to you."

I knew he was talking about Adriano and his eyes lingering on Tempest and the way he was close to her the night of my birthday.

"I nodded, my voice firm. "Without a doubt."

Joseph chuckled, subtle, knowing. "Smart man." He pulled back, releasing our handshake, before walking away with Leonardo at his side.

As soon as he was gone, Gia cleared her throat. "I can finally say it without causing attention to you." She turned to Tempest, her expression dramatic and approving. "You look drop-dead gorgeous, like you just came out of a pit of diamonds."

Tempest smirked arrogantly, confidence dripping from every syllable. "Don't I?" She stepped forward, slow, deliberate, and spun—her body moving like silk, like temptation itself.

My eyes locked onto her, tracking every shift, every tease of fabric against her skin. My jaw clenched, my tongue flicked over my bottom lip as the thought crawled into my mind unbidden that she has no panties on under her dress.