The heavy oak doors slammed shut behind Papa Secondo as he stormed down the dim corridor, his robes billowing with each purposeful step. His patience had already worn thin—Sister Imperator and Nihil had spent the last hour droning on, but his mind was elsewhere.

On her. His sorella. His girl.

She had been avoiding him for days after their argument, and he had given her space. But this? This was unacceptable.

Because as he stalked forward, he saw her—standing too close to a Brother of Sin. A Brother who leaned in, murmured something—and she laughed.

Not just any laugh. A soft, pleased sound.

And worse? She blushed.

Something inside Secondo snapped.

Before thinking twice, he closed the distance, gripping her arm in a bruising hold. The Brother stiffened, but a single venomous glare sent him scurrying away.

"You are coming with me," Secondo growled, dragging her through the winding halls.

His private quarters' door banged shut behind them.

Before she could turn, he had her—his hand tangling in her hair, yanking her head back, forcing her to look at him.

"You have been avoiding me," he hissed, his breath hot against her lips. "And yet you smile for him?"

His grip tightened, jaw clenching.

"You will not do that again."

A scoff, dark and warning.

His mismatched gaze burned into hers, demanding, searching.

"I let you have your tantrum. But this—" he tugged slightly, a reminder of who he was.