Falcon

s, I haunted my own

main wing. I avoided the dining room

y studio, painting canvas after c

forever. Eventually, th

ce stairs, seeking a glass of w

e silk shawls over her shoulders

healthy. Ra

ng possessively over the mahogany banister. "I tho

aside,

d, her voice dropping t

d, feigning sympathy. "He worries constantly a

dering

viper finally re

ing it is

eemed to st

nerves. "Dante is too noble for his own good. He thinks he is saving

nforcer who had led t

h churned

issed, my voice trembling. "And you are letting D

g with malice. "The Moretti fortune will pass to th

," I said, taking a th

leaming with triumph. "The unstable, barren wife

thud of the front d

ps appr

was

d instantly. Terror

f backward, seiz

lena!

ls digging into my flesh, a

last three steps i

ked against

nd my eyes, explodi

hick plush carpet, sc

e pushed me!

ed to burst op

n, his weapon

ene: us at the bo

to stand, clutching

nto a protective ball,

un and fell to his

of

inting a trembling finger at me

ooked u

n his gaze. No conf

unadulterat

p," he

ng the railing, the ro

.." I began,

is roar shoo

jealousy, Elena. I am

o her feet with i

out of it before I allow it, I wi

, murmuring soft com

watching them disappea

ispered to the em

ed the

o to the ma

e hidden in the b

aration papers I ha

The ultrasound of the empty womb. The invoice for t

all inside a p

aints. I pack

g else. No clot

thing Dante Moretti

at the open doo

eshold. He stood in the

id stiffly, his voice devoid of warmth. "

, not lifting my eye

nces must be maintained. You will send a gift. Somethi

aus

ly. "You want me to send

he Family, E

his heel an

white box rest

," I mu

and wrote a note

e truth will

private cou

ded the box to the young

0 PM," I instructed, pressing a hundred-dollar bil

keted the cash

rd the Villa, but

d out the back gate, and slid into

occo, was beh

't loo