He looked down at Lily, who was snoring softly against my shoulder.

“She is safe here,” he said, his voice dropping to a low, soothing register.

He reached out and gently stroked Lily’s tiny, soft cheek with the back of his finger.

“I promise you, nothing will happen to her.”

The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch.

He looked back up at me, his gaze dropping to my lips before returning to my eyes.

For a second, the danger outside seemed to fade away, replaced by the heavy, electric air between us.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Get some rest,” he said, his hand lingering near my shoulder for a beat before he drew it back.

“We have a busy week ahead.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“The winter charity gala is on Saturday,” Dante said.

“It is the biggest social event of the year for the city’s elite.”

“Why does that matter to me?” I asked.

“You are coming with me,” he said.

“Moretti will be there. His associates will be there.”

“You want me to walk right into a room with them?” I asked, fear tightening my throat.