Giovanni's POV

I stared at my phone, my thumb hovering over the screen as I dialed her number — Lara Blackwood.

The line rang once… twice… and then again.

No answer.

I exhaled sharply, tapping my fingers impatiently against the table.

“Pick up,” I muttered under my breath, eyes fixed on the phone like I could will her to answer.

On the fourth ring, a click. Then a voice — calm, sharp, laced with arrogance.

“Who’s this?”

My heart gave a small, involuntary jolt. Her tone was ...