THEIR RUINED PRIZE

Lorenzo guided me up the wide staircase, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. Every place his fingers touched felt warm, like a faint hum of electricity running beneath my skin.

I kept my eyes fixed on the plush carpet beneath my shoes, my heart still thumping against my ribs.

The house was quiet, but it didn't feel empty. It felt full of power, full of the three men who ran it. And walking beside Lorenzo,the boy I used to sneak glances at through my window, now fully grown into a gorgeous, dangerous man made my mouth go dry.

"You're very quiet, tesoro," Lorenzo said softly, breaking the silence.

I looked up at him through my lashes, swallowing hard. "I'm just... trying to take it all in."

Lorenzo chuckled, a rich, smooth sound that made my toes curl in my shoes. He stopped in front of a pair of polished wooden doors at the end of the long hallway.

"This is your room," he said, turning to face me.

He leaned back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. The thin fabric of his shirt stretched over his broad shoulders, and my eyes traitorously dropped to the top two buttons he left undone, revealing a hint of smooth skin and dark hair.

I quickly snapped my eyes back up to his face, my cheeks burning pink. He caught me looking, and the wicked smirk on his lips widened.

"Do you like what you see, Amelia?" he teased, his tone low and playful.

"I... I wasn't looking," I squeaked out, clutching my bag tighter against my chest.

Lorenzo took a slow step closer, closing the distance between us until I could smell his cologne,something sweet like vanilla mixed with warm wood. He reached out and gently plucked the bag from my hands, setting it on a side table near the door.

"You always were a terrible liar," he whispered, stepping closer until his chest was inches from mine. "Even when you were little, hiding behind your father's coat while you stared at us."

My breath hitched. "You... you knew?"

"Of course we knew," Lorenzo murmured, his voice dropping an octave as he raised his hand. His long, warm fingers lightly brushed a stray lock of hair away from my face, his knuckles grazing the sensitive skin of my cheek. "We saw the way your cheeks turned red every time we walked into the room."

My skin flushed a deep crimson. I bit my lower lip, unable to look away from his dark, teasing eyes.

"Lorenzo," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Yes, sweet girl?"

Before I could answer, heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Zade rounded the corner, his broad frame filling the space easily. He had rolled his sleeves up, revealing thick, muscular forearms covered in dark ink. He held a silver tray with a plate of warm food and a glass of water.

"Rafael said to bring her something to eat," Zade growled, his black eyes flicking from Lorenzo's hand on my cheek down to my trembling lips.

Lorenzo didn't look bothered. He slowly pulled his hand back, giving me one last teasing wink before stepping aside. "Just in time, brother. Our little guest was just about to tell me a secret."

Zade ignored him, walking straight up to me. The air in the hallway instantly felt hotter, tighter. He set the tray down on the table next to my bag, then turned his dark, intense gaze back to me.

"Eat," Zade said, his voice raspy and direct. "You look like a strong breeze could knock you over."

"Thank you, Zade," I said softly, looking up at him with genuine gratitude.

Zade stared down at me for a long moment, his dark eyes softening just a tiny bit as he took in my small, soft posture. He reached out, his thick, calloused thumb gently wiping a spot of dust off my cheek. The contrast between his rough, tattooed hand and my soft skin made a sudden, hot shiver run all the way down to my thighs.

He noticed the way I gasped, his thumb lingering over my jawline for a second longer than necessary.

"Get some rest, Amelia," Zade grunted, stepping back before his touch could linger any longer. "We'll talk in the morning."

"Goodnight, tesoro," Lorenzo added smoothly, offering a charming smile.

"Goodnight," I whispered.

I stepped into my room, slipping inside and closing the door softly behind me. I leaned my back against the smooth wood, letting out a long, shaky breath as my hand rested over my beating heart.

I was finally here. In their house. Wrapped in their world.

I walked over to the large bed, sitting on the edge of the soft mattress. I picked up the glass of water Zade had brought, my mind racing with thoughts of Rafael's cold, intense grey eyes, Zade's rough, warm touch, and Lorenzo's wicked smirk.

They were dangerous men, but standing close to them made my blood run fast and warm. And as I laid my head down on the pillow that night, I knew one thing for sure I didn't want to be anywhere else.