Volatile Silence

Vivienne’s POV

Giovanni didn’t flinch when Valentin left his hand hanging in the air.

But I saw his expression change.

The tiniest shift at the corners of his mouth. A smile that tightened, just enough to betray a flash of offense beneath the polite exterior. He lowered his hand without comment, casual as ever, and offered an apology so smooth it almost fooled me.

“Forgive the intrusion,” he said,