ella

Maddox's presence. He didn't look at me. His gaze was a physical wei

instinct, didn't shrink back. He stood up, smoothi

g lilt. "Small world. Checking up on your employees' priv

up. He was poking a sleeping dragon,

the name sounding like a curse on his tongue. "I am merely ensuring the security of my investments. Miss Preston is

, and devastating. Jovani's smir

as so potent it felt like heat against my skin. He leaned down, inv

the words, but I

arrogance extinguishing instantly, replaced by raw, primal fear. He slumped back int

There was no warmth, no recognition of my humanity. I

aving," h

if I followed. He knew I would. I cast one last look at Jovani, who

. I hated Jovani for his stupidity. I hated Damien for his tyranny. But most of all, I hated Mave

ien

ngering ghost of cigar smoke. It was my sanctuary, the

hould h

o just lost a war, not

e was still the iron spine of this family. Her silver hair was pulled back in a severe bun, and her dark ey

abinet. I poured a glass of scotch, skipping the ice

she said calmly. "Clifford Prest

granddaughter is a whore. I saw her, Nonna. I saw her let

turning my vision red. I had sent Cortez to handle Langley. By m

. "I won't have a Rat in my bed. I won't have m

nce filled the room. She walked over to me,

said, her voice cutting through my rage. "You are

what

u saw a woman with dark hair. Did you see he

y jaw. "I di

nt. "She is resilient. She is loyal to a fault to a family that treats her like cattle. You

"Be careful, Nipote. You are so busy building walls to keep t

ked out, leaving t

ia's defense of the girl gnawed at my certainty, but it didn't extin

al pad from the drawer. I didn't need a gu

te a single header at the top of th

n for A