Sterl

e of camera fla

stepped out of the black town car and on

e shouted from the s

the new m

ding me through the fabric of my coat. He didn't push the photographers away. He let them see. He let them s

he heavy glass doors sealing

here?" I asked,

aid calmly. He walked toward the pri

o keep up with his long strides. "

The marble floors were cold beneath

ling me your m

ted their eyes, terrified to witness a private convers

e said. "It is bet

I challenged. "That I am

perception is reality. If they think you are mine in a romantic sense, the other families will hesitate to touch you. It w

rget on my back and then painted a shield over it, b

yours," I

or and held the door open.

ished, you belong to the Vitiello name. You breath

. The doors slid shut, seal

lence as the n

t ahead at the steel doors. "My secretary,

hy

id. "And you are breaking every sing

ors opened to reveal a sprawling living spac

cage, little bi

n't just the men with guns outside. The danger was the man standing n