didn't

t lighting. Clean sheets. A balcony overlooking the city. It felt

ced in

re I can

ver and over. Not a threat. Not a

as dawn crept into the sky. Somewhere in this building, Ales

she could feel him

in the gym whe

gain and again, each hit precise, controlled. Sweat dar

ng yourself,"

stop. "She shoul

bothers you

ade hi

ily. "People who aren't afraid make choic

n't eliminate th

l, dragging it across his

an eyebrow.

a

why Elena's defiance lingered in his t

ena was summoned again-

Polite. C

ests your presenc

s. That

into a private dining room. One table. Two chairs

ow, jacket off, sleeves roll

that her b

again?" she asked, arms

ed. "You're be

didn't apply f

a smile app

chose her battles and did.Foo

't eaten,"

n't hu

's a

"Do you always assume y

evenly. "I'm

k slightly. "Then tell m

ure, not her words, but her eyes. F

ired. And trying ver

w tigh

re. I just refuse to let

ned her

ence. Though

sandro said finally. "This wo

me?" she as

ll believe they

. "I do hav

ce lower now. "Because every decis

what about you, Alessandro Morett

me hit harder tha

me, he didn't an

etly. "I believe I ha

eyes l

nymore. It was something far

ly. "Then maybe we

d then. Not attr

gnit

stepped b

ining control. "But on your terms-a

push back?

ed. "Then we'll

Good. I'd hate for

ained standing, staring at th

t supposed

supposed

racks wer