ina's

y thigh like a brand. I di

tion as Luca guided me through the ballroom. Laughter rippled around us. Glasses c

mpire functioned.Blood benea

icking toward Luca before every reaction, every breath measured. This wasn't a celebra

spoke above the music unless Luca allowed it. Luca's hand remained at

I refused to touch. I didn't look at him. Looking woul

ing a glass from the table a

roz

htly in my hand. Luca n

ring weakness the way other men measured desire. Around us

ad swallowed poison with the same forced g

anything you didn't pour yourself. The wine wa

irsty," I s

. Enough. "You don't want to disappoint m

ely, I lifted the

n't d

ok convincing, then lowered it again. Luca watched closel

idn

ot anger but suspicion.The phone vibra

om," I

then nodded. "

se roaring in my ears. The hallway out

er and finally pul

wn Nu

Third st

ad throug

er stepping closer. I pushed open the

my face; calm, composed,

creaked open behind me. Vittorio M

iffe

were sharing a private joke. "Relax," he said.

orting," I r

u're smarter than Luca

u doing thi

ittorio said simply. "And when king

d. "You're play

ncluded." He reached into his jacket and placed

"Accounts Luca doesn't know I know about. Proof of

ched. "Why gi

Vittorio replied. "He'll fall by e

crack in

he drive. "If

orio said. "Unle

Tonight is only the beginning. Luca want

t const

io continued. "Bend." Th

?" Matteo

d. "Your prote

nlocking the door jus

ars of history in

lightly, brushing past Matteo as if

e instantly. "What

lash drive in my

ened. "That's

ld say more, Luca's voi

raf

ack at once, exp

ve in my clutch and

our break?" he a

id. "Very r

ssing, calculating. "Good. Be

d the private lounge. The private lou

ind of room where decisions wer

echoing louder than any gunshot. I already knew this

id knelt on th

e was streaked with tears. Relief flar

d the door

" he said. "That

u she was

"Which is why this

a knife fro

Clean.

Luca said, as if granting a g

rt ham

continued. "Just enough to re

oom t

t," I w

aid calmly. "Beca

atteo was shoved i

reaked h

started with him

as pressed

gers t

aid s

met m

ook hi

, subtle

n'

ide me snappe

ped fo

ward t

rd L

ped th

illed t

id, my voice shaking but

maid, reached out a

expl

ward. Luca's face

er," he

d reach me, Matteo m

led back, shouting orders. I grabbed the ma

ms b

use er

corridor, my phone vi

wn Nu

ve chose

't loo

ew one thing

no going b