His greatest love.

Chapter 50.

The word nothing lingered but this time, Diana didn't let it pass.

Her eyes stayed on his wrist, narrowing slightly.

"Mm," she hummed softly, stepping closer. "That's interesting."

Giovanni's brow lifted. "Is it?"

"Very," she said, reaching for his hand before he could react.

He didn't stop her.

Didn't even try.

Instead, he watched her closely like he was far more interested in her reaction than the wound itself.

"You didn't have this the last time I saw you," she murmured, turning his wrist slightly under the light.

"And you remember that?" he asked, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Diana didn't look up.

"I remember everything I choose to," she replied.

That right there...

That made his smile deepen.

"Should I be flattered... or worried?"

"Both," she said simply.

He let out a quiet chuckle, his thumb brushing lightly against the inside of her wrist not enough to stop her, just enough to remind her he was there.

"And here I thought I was the observant one."

"You're not," she said. "You're just used to people not paying attention."

His gaze sharpened slightly at that but there was no offense. Just interest.

"And you do?"

Finally, she looked up.

Their faces were closer now.

Closer than before.

"I have to," she said quietly. "It's part of my job."

A beat.

"And right now," she added, her voice softening just slightly,

"you're doing a very poor job of convincing me this is 'nothing.'"

Giovanni tilted his head, studying her like she'd just said something far more important than she realized.

"You're worried," he said.

"I'm assessing," she corrected.

"Ah," he nodded. "Of course. Very professional."

She rolled her eyes, but her grip on his wrist didn't loosen.

"What happened, really?"

He hesitated just long enough for her to notice.

Then,

"I was careless."

Her brows pulled together slightly.

"You?"

"I know," he sighed, glancing away briefly. "It's disappointing."

Despite herself, her lips twitched.

"I expected better."

"So did I," he said, then added, quieter his gaze returning to hers,

"especially because I was thinking about you."

That caught her off guard.

"You cut yourself because you were distracted?" she asked.

"I told you," he said lightly, "you're dangerous."