Chapter 39

• Gianna's Pov
• As Stefano carried me in his arms, my heart drummed wildly against my chest, like some frail princess awaiting rescue. It should have bothered me more, given how I'd spent the last three years treated as "one of the guys," never a woman to be doted on. But everything was different with Stefano-*I* was different. Around him, I dared to hope for things I'd never imagined possible. Livia would laugh herself silly if she knew my head was full of romantic nonsense right now. I was a warrior, for Goddess's sake! My mind should have been focused on strength, on recovery, and how quickly I could return to fighting after that cliff fall, not on the nagging worry that I must reek of sweat and dirt, something Stefano surely noticed too.
• This wasn't the time to care, yet I couldn't help it. Part of me almost asked Stefano to pause so I could rinse off in the river. Yes... Livia would "definitely" be rolling her eyes.