ella

ld my gaze when Sofia timidly announced that my broth

with sweeping Sicilian landscapes, and the faint, expensive scent of lilies. It was my sanctuary, a symbol of my new

al document onto the polished mahogany table. "Sign i

d, keeping my voi

ied to the O'Bannon Boys. You're in over your head. For the sake of Rowland decency and your

hen back at him. "No. My a

h," he snarled, stepping forward. "You have no idea what you're doin

d no,

down hard on my upper arm. He tried to drag me toward the table, hi

looked down at his hand, then up into his furi

isper. "Touch me again, and my future husband's *Soldiers* will te

nvocation of the *Cosa Nostra*'s absolute, blood

of your mind?" Connor hissed at him. Connor wasn't protecting me; he was the only one smar

gned papers. They turned toward the door, but Connor linger

ou," Connor muttered. "A rat i

past life burning bright in my mind. *One day you'll learn the truth about the viper you've raised. You

long. Barely twenty minutes after my b

signature mask of wide-eyed innocence, a sweet smile painted on her lips. She sa

rehearsed concern. "The boys were too rough. But... I am worried about you. I

entary flare of defiance. She was using the Irish mob as a ghost to frighten me into sub

hunting for. Instead, I turned my head and looked directly into her eyes

ster?" I asked, my to

mpletely vanished from her face, leaving behind a cold, calculating stare. The illusion of our si