ella

still reeked of Carmella's cloying, sweet perfume, but the morning sun spilling over the Persian rugs felt l

by two young maids I recognized instantly. In my past life, th

atrice said, her smile brittle and her eyes darting

lready summoned to my side. "Marta and Anna will serve me. Those girls are what Carmella i

y mask. She opened her mouth to invoke her au

y, my tone leaving no room for debate. Defeated and humiliated

us snake, and she struck

ct my allies, so I requested the key to the North

gate?" she mocked, standing at the top of the grand staircase. "It

ers stationed at the North Gate. They weren't guarding it; they w

power. I neede

under the guise of formally thanking Eleonore Falcone Morett

yx rosary on the mahogany table. "I cannot ke

gleaming with approval. "It belongs with s

return. In three days, the Marino family will use the dockworkers' strike as cover to mo

The intelligence I just handed her was priceless. I saw the exact moment she stopped look

ouble doors of the suite swung open. The air

e black wool and lethal grace, his dark eyes devoid of any human warmth. Besid

man snapped its leash. It ignored Eleonore's gasp and charged directly at me. I braced for teeth, but

memory slipped past my lips. "*

nking the dog back by its collar. He leaned in, his broad shoulders blocking out the light, his face me

emanded, his voice a low, dangero

vened sharply, stepping between

lare. I offered a stiff curtsy and fled the suite, leaving the Princ