đź–¤ Chapter 11: Marks & Meanings
Vincenzo rarely allowed things to linger.
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Not thoughts.
Not emotions.
Not people.
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Everything had its place.
Its time.
Its end.
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That was how control worked.
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So when Adrian walked in and paused—
just slightly—
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Vincenzo already knew something was off.
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"…Looks like your cat is having quite a mood swing, boss."
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Silence.
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Vincenzo didn't respond immediately.
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Adrian stepped further inside, hands casually in his pockets, gaze fixed on him.
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"Must be enjoyable."
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That—
earned him a look.
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Sharp.
Cold.
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But not denying.
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And that was enough.
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Adrian's lips curved faintly.
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"You're talking too much," Vincenzo said calmly.
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"Just observing."
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A pause.
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Then Adrian added, almost thoughtfully—
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"Careful though… some cats turn out to be dangerous."
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Vincenzo's gaze didn't shift.
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"This one isn't a cat."
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A beat.
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"…Not entirely."
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Something flickered in Adrian's expression.
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Interest.
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But he didn't push further.
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Not yet.
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Later—
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Adrian found himself back in that same building.
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The hospital.
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Efficient.
Clean.
Predictable.
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Unlike everything else in his world.
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He stood near the corridor—
waiting.
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Or maybe—
just observing again.
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"You again?"
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Noah's voice.
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Light.
Amused.
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Adrian didn't turn immediately.
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"You're starting to feel familiar," Noah continued, stepping closer.
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"That wasn't the intention."
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Noah smiled.
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"Shame. I was getting used to it."
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Adrian glanced at him briefly.
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Still too relaxed.
Still too comfortable.
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"Don't," he said.
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Noah tilted his head.
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"Don't what?"
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"Get used to things that don't belong in your world."
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A pause.
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Noah didn't step back.
Didn't look away.
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Instead—
he leaned slightly against the wall.
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"That sounds like advice again."
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"It is."
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Noah studied him for a moment.
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Then—
smiled.
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"You always this serious?"
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Adrian's reply came without hesitation.
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"You always this careless?"
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A beat.
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Noah shrugged lightly.
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"Only around interesting people."
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Silence.
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Adrian's gaze lingered a second longer this time.
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Then—
quietly—
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"Your environment is… decent."
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Noah raised a brow.
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"That your way of complimenting the hospital?"
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Adrian didn't answer.
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Which—
was already an answer.
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Noah smirked.
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"Or maybe you just like the company."
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That—
earned him a look.
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Not cold.
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Not dismissive.
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Something else.
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Something sharper.
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"You assume too much."
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Noah pushed off the wall.
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"And you say too little."
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A pause.
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Then Adrian spoke again.
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"Stay out of trouble."
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Noah smiled wider.
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"Too late for that."
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Adrian watched him for a moment longer.
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Then turned.
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But not before saying—
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"Be careful."
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Noah's voice followed him.
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"You too."
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Ethan Carter was not distracted.
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He refused to call it that.
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But as he stood in his office—
reviewing a report for the third time—
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he realized something worse.
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He wasn't distracted.
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He was aware.
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Too aware.
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Of a moment.
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Of a feeling.
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Of something that shouldn't have stayed.
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And yet—
it had.
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His hand lifted unconsciously—
brushing lightly against his lips.
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A pause.
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Then he lowered it immediately.
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"…Unnecessary."
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The word didn't sound convincing anymore.
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"Wow."
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Noah's voice again.
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Ethan didn't turn.
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"You look worse today."
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"I'm fine."
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"That's what people say when they're not."
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Ethan exhaled slowly.
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"I have work."
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"And I have eyes," Noah replied. "You've been touching your lips like something happened."
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Silence.
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Then—
Ethan picked up another file.
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"Focus on your own responsibilities."
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Noah leaned against the desk.
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"I am. And right now, my responsibility is understanding why my boss looks like he lost a fight with his own thoughts."
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Ethan didn't respond.
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Because there was nothing to say.
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Not without confirming everything.
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The night came faster than expected.
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And with it—
that same place.
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Quiet.
Private.
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Familiar now.
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Ethan stepped inside.
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And immediately—
he felt it again.
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That shift.
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That awareness.
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Vincenzo stood there.
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Like always.
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But something—
felt different.
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Ethan walked closer.
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"You're staring."
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Vincenzo's voice was calm.
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"You're noticing."
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A pause.
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Ethan stopped just a step away.
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Close enough.
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Not touching.
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Not yet.
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"This doesn't change anything," Ethan said.
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"You've said that before."
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Silence.
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Then—
Ethan moved first.
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Again.
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His hand lifted—
gripping lightly at Vincenzo's collar.
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Familiar now.
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Intentional.
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"You don't seem affected," Ethan said quietly.
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Vincenzo didn't move.
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"I am."
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A pause.
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"Just not in the way you expect."
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Ethan's grip tightened slightly.
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"Then maybe I should change that."
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But this time—
he didn't kiss him.
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He just stayed there.
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Close.
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Breathing the same air.
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Testing something unspoken.
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And for a moment—
Vincenzo didn't react.
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Then—
very quietly—
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"You're pushing."
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Ethan didn't step back.
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"I'm testing."
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A pause.
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Vincenzo's gaze darkened slightly.
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"Be careful what you test."
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Silence.
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Then—
Ethan let go.
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Stepping back.
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Breaking the moment.
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But not the tension.
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Not anymore.
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Because it stayed.
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Between them.
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Unspoken.
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Growing.
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And neither of them—
was pretending it didn't exist anymore.
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Later—
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Adrian stood beside Vincenzo again.
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Quiet.
Observant.
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Then—
casually—
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"That place… nice environment."
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Vincenzo didn't look at him.
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"What? Thinking of becoming a doctor?"
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A beat.
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Then—
slightly sharper—
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"…Or something else?"
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Adrian understood.
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Immediately.
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"No."
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Simple.
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"I'm not interested."
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Now—
Vincenzo looked at him.
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Carefully.
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Then—
quietly—
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"You better not be."
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A pause.
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Then Adrian smirked—
just slightly.
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"Of course, boss."
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But the tone—
wasn't entirely serious.
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And Vincenzo noticed.
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Of course he did.
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But he didn't say anything more.
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Because right now—
there were more important things to focus on.
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Things that were already—
becoming harder to control.
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For both of them.
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And that—
was where the real danger began.