𝓗𝓲𝓼 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑛

56

He held her close, his body radiating warmth and possessiveness, the intensity from the night before replaced with a calm protectiveness.

Kailani nestled against his bare chest, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the intricate tattoos that covered him. She admired the ink that spread across his skin, each design holding some untold story of his dangerous life. But as she touched him now, those dark tales seemed so far away, as if none of them could touch this moment.

She could feel his heartbeat under her palm, steady and strong. It was a reminder of the man who had shown her both cruelty and care. The man who ruled the world with fear, but who lay here with her, his face finally unhidden, his heart bared in the quiet of the morning.

“pretty” Her voice was a soft whisper, almost afraid to break the silence.

Salvatore’s dark eyes flickered down to her, the faintest smile playing on his lips — not his usual smirk of control, but something gentler, a silent reassurance. His hand found its way to the back of her neck, threading through her hair as he pulled her even closer to his chest. He didn’t answer aloud — he rarely did — but his actions spoke for him.

He was so scared of what she would think when she saw his face. He wasn't ugly, no. Quiet the opposite. But instead he feared that she would see a monster when she looked at him. Like everyone else did.

His thumb caressed the curve of her neck, slow and deliberate, grounding her in his touch.

Kailani’s mind wandered, thinking about the gravity of him removing his mask the night before. It wasn’t just a physical reveal; it was a part of him she had never seen, a glimpse into the man beneath the layers of power and intimidation. She had always known Salvatore was obsessed with her, possessive in ways that were both thrilling and terrifying, but this felt different. Last night, when he took off his mask, he had given her a part of himself that no one else had — a part that he had fiercely guarded.

She pressed a soft kiss to his chest, feeling the weight of that realization settle in her heart.

The momentary peace was broken by a faint knock at the door, and Kailani stiffened. She wasn’t used to anyone else being present in these moments with Salvatore. His possessiveness was all-encompassing, often isolating them from the rest of the world. But now that they were back in the mansion, the staff and guards were always lurking just beyond the walls of their shared space.

Salvatore’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening as he shifted slightly in bed, his protective instincts flaring up. He didn’t speak, but the subtle tension in his body told her he didn’t like the interruption. She knew better than to question him — if it wasn’t important, no one would dare disturb them.

He slowly sat up, his hand resting on her back as if to keep her close while he turned his attention to the door, pulling the covers over her head. “Enter,” he commanded, his voice low and authoritative, completely different from the softness he had shown her just moments ago.

One of his trusted guards entered, bowing his head slightly in deference before speaking. "Capo, a situation has arisen with the shipment from last night. They’re asking for your presence at the docks.”

Kailani felt the shift in Salvatore instantly. The peaceful morning between them faded as the responsibilities of his world crept back in. His hand moved from her back, and for a brief moment, she felt the loss of his warmth.

He stood, his imposing frame towering over the bed as he grabbed the mask that had been discarded the night before. He didn’t put it on immediately, though. Instead, he looked down at her, his gaze softening again for just a fraction of a second — a silent promise that despite the business he had to attend to, she was still the center of his world.

“I’ll be back,” he murmured, his voice low as he leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. There was a quiet fierceness in the gesture, a reminder of the man who had devoted himself entirely to her, even if he couldn’t always show it in conventional ways.

Kailani watched as he dressed, his movements efficient and methodical as he pulled on his usual black attire, every inch of him once again the ruthless don. When he finally slipped the mask back over his face, it felt like he was putting up a wall between them — not emotionally, but as a necessary part of who he was. The Salvatore who ruled over his empire was not the same man who had kissed her feet in the meadow or laid his head on her lap the day before.

Before he left, he turned to her one last time, his eyes locking with hers through the thin slits of the mask. There was something raw in that gaze — a hunger, a need, but also a promise that whatever came next, she was his, and he would return to her.

When the door closed behind him, Kailani was left alone in the golden light of the morning. She pulled the sheets tighter around herself, trying to hold onto the remnants of their peaceful night, but she knew that Salvatore’s world was never one of calm for long.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. She wandered the mansion, avoiding the eyes of the staff and guards. Everyone here seemed to live in silent respect for Salvatore, but there was also an underlying fear. No one dared question his authority, and Kailani had grown used to that. The power he held was suffocating at times, but she had also come to understand it was a necessary part of who he was.

As the sun began to set and the sky turned a deep shade of purple, Kailani found herself standing at the window, waiting. She had no idea when he would return, but something in her chest ached with the need to see him again. Despite everything, she had grown to crave his presence — his touch, his intense gaze, the way he made her feel like she was the only person who mattered in the world.

It was late by the time Salvatore returned. The sound of the front door opening echoed through the mansion, and Kailani’s heart raced in anticipation. She quickly made her way down the grand staircase, her feet moving faster than her thoughts.

When she reached the bottom, she saw him standing there, his back to her as he spoke quietly with one of his men. The moment he sensed her presence, he turned, his eyes meeting hers through the mask once again. For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of the day falling away as they looked at each other.

Without a word, he crossed the room to her, his hands immediately finding her waist as he pulled her close. The mask remained on, but she could feel the heat of his breath against her skin as he leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.

“I missed you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but she knew he heard it.

Salvatore didn’t speak, but his grip tightened on her, his silence saying more than any words could. The rest of the world didn’t matter. Not now. Not when he was with her.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s presence, Kailani realized something she had been avoiding for a long time — Salvatore wasn’t just obsessed with her. He loved her. In his own dark, possessive, overwhelming way, he loved her completely.

And she, despite everything, loved him too.