“What did you say to him that made him want to punish you?” Marcello’s voice was calm, almost casual, but the tension beneath it was unmistakable. One of his hands gripped the headrest beside her as he leaned in, his presence caging her in.

“He called me a pet,” Azzurra replied, her tone clipped. “I simply reminded him that I’m a queen now. If you wouldn’t mind moving back…”

She shifted, attempting to push past him, but he only leaned in closer, forcing her to hold herself ...