ina's

e through the east wing instead, past rooms I was never invited into. Offices

asual, as if we were simply a devo

ew b

became. The walls changed tooless decorat

going?" I as

y knuckles, a mockery of tenderness. "I want yo

guarded by two men. They straightened immediately when Luca

se. No art. No rugs. Just a long table, metal chairs, and a single window h

e

t behind us with a final, echoing thud. "There," he said

buttoning his cufflinks

why men betra

I an

," Luca said. "Because they think lo

se qui

me. "They're

wo guards dragged a man

accountants. Quiet. Married. He used to nod politely w

. "Please, I didn't

hand. Silence

said calmly.

ant to. I

ly, "moved money without authorization. S

ently. "I was goin

ion. The sound cracked throug

llapsed sideways, blood spreading across the concret

ction closely. "Better," he said s

ace level with mine. "Now tell me

t felt r

u ever li

N

ever love s

hot. "No," I said again, and this time i

led. "Good," he said, standing. "Because tonig

ed with activi

ons. An unusual number of men stationed alo

er could. Every time I searched for him, he was gone.

ed in the corridor outside t

," I wh

h to speak without l

tened. "What'

he murmured. "Every

uca order?"

d. The look in his e

like a slap. "Tonight," he continued quietly,

e shook

dn't

ceptive. Guests arrived dressed in silk and power, laug

ice. Luca's color. He greeted me with a hand at my lower bac

harp. Dinner was a blur. Toasts, complimen

d.The room qui

onight is not only about cel

se thu

a continued.

face unreadable. "There has been... suspicion," L

pled throug

on, "I've asked Matteo to demonstrate his

fr

g and terrif

opped into

," Luca said. "Whether that's true does

n sobbed

d to Matte

held it

didn'

s stre

smile t

said calmly

stinct s

before I could s

shock. Luca turned

carrying despite the terror clawing

slamme

seeing me for the firs

"You've just made this

y. The guards drag

me brief

"If Matteo won't prove his loy

od ran

d, "you will be watched.

intimate. "And if M

slid to h

di

sic re

ation r

ing was

ear, I felt Matteo's gaze on me from acr

loyalty costs," Luca murm

brated agai

wn Nu

t need

eady