adows across the leather furniture. Matteo stood near the flames, his back to the room. In his left hand, he held the crumpled photograph sent by the Cárdenas clan. The white borders were singed brow

hat mountain road by chance. Santiago was their logistics chief before he tried to cross them and work for us. They were hunting Santiago's sister to

aid flatly. Why? Esteban burst out losing his composure for a single second. She's a liability A civilian The sister of a dead traitor Why are you risking the entire Restrepo syndicate for a girl you met four days ago in the mud? Matteo walked slowly to the heavy floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the courtyard. He looked up toward the darkened windows of the east wing. Because the moment I look into her eyes Matteo murmured his baritone dropping so low Esteban had to strain to hear it I see every sin I've ever committed looking back at me. I took her brother's life Esteban. I will not let them take hers. Late that night the rain had reduced to a steady, melancholic drizzle against the heavy glass panes of

r her bed. You haven't eaten since yesterda

tteo completely off guard. And I don't want your pretend kindness. Matteo didn't back down but he held his hands up slightly in an uncharacteristic gesture of peace. You need to regain your strength Isabel. Why? So I can be a better prisoner? She took another step toward hi

going to say? What do you know about Santiago? Matteo looked down at her hands gripping his shirt then up into her desperate, tearing eyes. The guilt inside him surged thick and suffocating, threatening to break through his cold facade. He raised his hand his long warm fingers wrapping gently over hers. He didn't pull her hand away he simply held it against his chest right over the slow steady thudding of his heart. I know that the streets out there are burning, Isabel Matteo whispered, his face closing the distance between them until she could feel the heat radiating from his skin. I know that if you step outside these gates tonight you will not survive twenty four hours. You think I am holding you hostage. The truth is I am holding back a flood that would swallow you whole. Isabel looked up at him her heart hammering wildly. She could feel his pulse beneath her knuckles slow strong and impossibly calm. Standing this close, the terrifying monster she had seen in the courtyard faded replaced by a man carrying a heavy silent burden that seemed to carve deep lines into his handsome face. Then tell me the truth, Isabel whispered her anger melting into a fragile, desperate plea. If you really want to protect me stop lying to me Who is hunting me? Why am I here? Matteo lo