in the eyes. She woke up with a start, realizing she had slept the entire night curle

, but his eyes were clear and sharp. The vulnerability of the night bef

ate violently. He picked it up. His assistant, Dexter, was

're saying you were involved in a gang war. The company stock is ta

is in seconds. His dark eyes slowly shifted from the wall an

er his bandaged torso, the torn fabric giving him a rakish, dan

to be my girlfriend. We were out together last night, and we got caught in

e stood up, her face completely unre

alt with. He pulled a checkbook from his jacket, signed his name, a

it into a tight ball, and threw it into the trash can. She l

register. "I want you to take me into the Pierce family's inner circle. I w

ding in front of him. "Why does a girl from Flushi

ur world," Gena lied smoothly, her nails digging into her palms

fully believe her, but the raw, violent ambition in

gripped it firmly. In that cramped,

ent door. Dexter stood in the hallway, flanked by two

in the kitchen, terrified

lored suit. He then handed Gena th

on a custom-tailored, black velvet Tom Ford gown. The fabric clung to her curves like a s

door and stepped out, the ai

nd looked at her. His eyes widened slightly, a flash of genuine shock breaking through his cold exterior. The girl from th

velvet box. He stepped behind her and fastened the clasp at the nape of her neck. Hi

back," Claudio whispered into her ear, his breath hot against her skin. He

ttire, set against the backdrop of a peeling, mildew-stained wall. A cold, terrify

completely ignoring the slack-ja

om sat idling on the dirty street.

and slid into the plush leather seat wi

the guest list for the family di

very first name on the

e iPad so hard her knuckles turned white

he curb, gliding smoothly toward t