Kate's POV:

The car engine purred quietly, the only sound breaking the stillness as I sat cross-legged in the passenger seat. A soft breeze floated through the open window, carrying with it the faint aroma of flowers from the garden. I flipped a page of the book in my hands, but the words blurred together as my thoughts wandered.

Why did I let Lucio talk me into this? Again? The man was relentless, dragging me into his world at every opportunity. And now, a "holiday" in Italy? Knowing him, it would be anything but relaxing.

The car door opened abruptly, snapping me out of my thoughts. Lucio slid into the driver's seat, his sharp green eyes immediately zeroing in on me.

"Still mad, kitten?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

I slammed the book shut, my irritation bubbling to the surface. "Oh, I don't know, Lucio. Should I be mad about you disrupting my life every five seconds, or should I just smile and go along with it?"

He smirked, clearly amused. "You could try smiling. It suits you."

I rolled my eyes, turning to look out the window. "You're impossible."

"And yet, you're here," he said smoothly, starting the car.

I ignored him, focusing instead on the scenery flashing by as we pulled out of the driveway. The sprawling estate quickly gave way to winding roads and open skies, but my mind stayed tangled in the chaotic web of emotions Lucio always managed to stir.

Lucio's POV

Driving always helped me think. The steady rhythm of the tires against the road was a rare kind of peace in my otherwise turbulent life. But today, all I could think about was Kate—how she'd stomped out of the house, her fiery temper blazing in full force.

She looked beautiful when she was mad, not that I'd ever tell her that.

"You're awfully quiet," I said, breaking the silence. She didn't look up from the book in her lap, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Come on, princess. Don't pout. We're going to Italy. Most people would kill for this opportunity."

She finally looked at me, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. "Most people don't get kidnapped into it, Lucio."

"Kidnapped?" I chuckled. "A little dramatic, don't you think?"

Her silence spoke volumes, and I sighed, gripping the wheel tighter. "Look," I said, my voice softening. "I just... I want you to see my world. The good parts, not just the chaos."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "And what part of dragging me out of bed counts as 'good'?"

I shrugged, a grin tugging at my lips. "You'll see."

Kate's POV

Hours later, we were on the private jet, soaring high above the clouds. The cabin was luxurious, of course—leather seats, polished wood finishes, and a bar stocked with every drink imaginable. Lucio was lounging across from me, scrolling through his phone as if we were on the most mundane of trips.

"You do this often?" I asked, unable to hide the curiosity in my voice.

He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. "What? Fly to Italy? Only when I need to."

"Need to?" I echoed, leaning back in my seat. "This doesn't exactly scream 'urgent business,' Lucio."

He set his phone down, his expression turning serious. "There are things I need to take care of. And I need you to be safe while I do."

I frowned, the weight of his words sinking in. "Safe from what?"

His jaw tightened, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "It's complicated, Kate. My life... it's not simple. There are people who'd do anything to hurt me, and they wouldn't hesitate to use you to get to me."

I swallowed hard, the gravity of his statement hitting me like a punch to the gut. "Then why bring me? Why not leave me at home where it's... safer?"

"Because I don't trust anyone else to protect you," he said simply, his gaze unwavering. "Not even myself sometimes."

His honesty caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say. The tension between us was palpable, a mix of frustration, fear, and something else I couldn't quite name.

"Lucio," I began hesitantly, "I'm not some helpless girl who needs saving. I can take care of myself."

His lips quirked into a small smile, but his eyes remained serious. "I know you can. But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop protecting you."

By the time we landed, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the picturesque Italian countryside. A sleek black car was waiting for us on the tarmac, and Lucio wasted no time ushering me inside.

The drive to the villa was breathtaking. Rolling hills dotted with vineyards stretched as far as the eye could see, the soft hum of the engine the only sound as I took it all in.

"This is... beautiful," I admitted, unable to hide my awe.

Lucio glanced at me, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I thought you'd like it."

When we finally arrived at the villa, I was speechless. It was a sprawling estate, complete with marble columns, cascading fountains, and gardens that seemed to stretch on forever.

"Welcome to my home," Lucio said, his voice tinged with pride as he led me inside.

The interior was just as stunning as the exterior—elegant and grand, yet somehow warm and inviting. I couldn't help but feel out of place, like I didn't belong in a world this perfect.

"This way," Lucio said, guiding me through the maze of hallways to a spacious bedroom. "This is your room."

I looked around, taking in the plush furnishings and the large balcony overlooking the gardens. "It's... amazing."

"Good," he said, his tone softer now. "You deserve it."

For a moment, we just stood there, the tension from earlier dissipating into something softer, quieter.

"Thank you," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes softened, and he took a step closer. "You're welcome, kitten."

And just like that, the storm that was Lucio felt a little less overwhelming.

The way Kate's eyes lit up when she saw the villa made it all worth it. Her initial resistance to this trip, her sarcastic remarks, even her stubbornness—it all melted away the moment she stepped into my world.

She was standing by the balcony now, the soft evening breeze playing with her hair. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed her in light, making her look otherworldly. I leaned against the doorframe, watching her silently, letting the moment stretch.

"Are you just going to stare, or are you planning to say something?" Her voice broke through the quiet, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I smirked, pushing off the doorframe and walking toward her. "Just enjoying the view."

She rolled her eyes but didn't move away when I came to stand beside her. The silence between us was comfortable, the kind of quiet that doesn't demand to be filled. I didn't get many moments like this in my life—moments where the chaos seemed to fade, even if only for a little while.

"You didn't have to do all this," she said, her voice softer now.

"I wanted to," I replied simply. "You needed a break. And... I wanted to show you something different."

She turned to look at me, her brows furrowed slightly. "Why? Why do you care so much, Lucio?"

That question hit harder than I expected. Why did I care? Because somewhere along the way, she stopped being just another complication in my life. She became... something more. Someone I wanted to protect, not because I had to, but because I wanted to.

"You matter to me, Kate," I said, my voice low but steady. "More than I thought you would."

Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, I thought she might say something. But instead, she turned back to the view, her expression unreadable.

Later that evening, we gathered for dinner. I had arranged for a private chef to prepare a feast—something I hoped would distract her from the tension that always seemed to linger between us.

Kate walked into the dining room, her presence commanding despite her simplicity. She wore a loose, comfortable dress that flowed around her like water, and yet she looked more regal than anyone I'd ever seen.

"You went all out," she said, her tone a mix of surprise and suspicion.

"Only the best for you," I replied, pulling out a chair for her.

She hesitated for a moment before sitting down, her eyes scanning the lavish spread on the table. "Do you always eat like this?"

I chuckled, taking my seat across from her. "Not always. But when I do, it's usually with people I care about."

Her gaze flickered to me briefly before she looked down at her plate. She was trying to hide her emotions, but I could see through her. Kate wore her heart on her sleeve, even when she didn't realize it.

As the meal went on, we fell into an easy rhythm of conversation. She told me about her classes, her struggles with the workload, and how much she hated that I was always a distraction.

"You're impossible, you know that?" she said, pointing her fork at me.

"I've been told," I replied, grinning. "But you like it."

She scoffed, but the small smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. "Don't flatter yourself."

I leaned back in my chair, watching her with amusement. "You're different here," I said after a moment.

Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Calmer. Happier. It suits you," I said, my tone sincere.

She seemed caught off guard by my words, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Well, it's hard to stay mad in a place like this," she admitted. "It's... peaceful."

"I thought you'd like it," I said, satisfaction creeping into my voice.

She rolled her eyes, but there was no malice in the gesture. "Don't let it go to your head."

After dinner, we retreated to the sitting room. A fire crackled in the fireplace, casting a warm glow across the room. Kate sat curled up on the couch, a book in her hands, while I poured us both a glass of wine.

"You're spoiling me," she said as I handed her the glass.

"Maybe," I replied, sitting down beside her. "But you deserve it."

She looked at me, her eyes softening for the briefest moment before she quickly turned her attention back to her book. I couldn't help but smile. She could pretend all she wanted, but I knew she was starting to let her walls down.

As the evening wore on, she began to relax more, the tension in her shoulders easing. We talked about everything and nothing—her favorite books, my travels, even our shared love for pasta. It was easy, natural, and for the first time in a long time, I felt... content.