For a fleeting moment, her thoughts stilled. Cesare slipped the watch back into his coat pocket and then opened his arms. Without thinking, Eileen stepped into his embrace, as if drawn by some unspoken force. His gloved hands were cool against her skin as he gently cupped her face. The closeness was both comforting and unnerving, and she inhaled sharply, her lips parting in a soft, surprised gasp.
Cesare's face drew nearer, and in his red eyes, Eileen saw something dark and playful flicker—an unsettling glint that held her gaze with an intensity she couldn't quite place.
"What if… everything I've said to you, everything you've experienced, was real?"
His hands slid slowly down to her throat, and he gripped her neck, his thumbs pressing lightly against her skin. The touch wasn't enough to choke her, but she could feel her breath catch in her chest, the weight of his words settling over her like a shadow.
