hia

ed, supplanted by the sharper, colde

bella and me out for a routine

ught the car to a sudden halt, the t

nounced a detour to escort Isabe

s devoid of any lingering warmth, and told me t

he biting cold of the night air

glance, leaving me standing al

tile, rival-controlled territory,

nly to be met by a dead screen

for twenty minutes, entirely unable to ca

other choice, I

, most dangerous alleys in the city, my hand rest

well past midnight, my body exhausted but my

walked into the compound a

an apology, but a casual dism

een very concerned for

the dregs of stale coffee. He did not so much as glance at

ade it home fine, and told hi

tisfaction, then turned

à between us finally crumbled, le

ing fear, suddenly went slack. The acid churning in my stomach v

my eyes, he was no more than a ghost, a

ter that day, severing my professional ties jus

on to dinner that would permanentl

hose name was spoken in whispers, a dar

llied Family, a man who was straightforward, o

h-end restaurant, seclud

olidation of his territory marked by a river of blo

the amber liquid catching

lnerability, he looked

ith intent as he directly aske

ly shook

down, the clink echoing s

udden intensity. He declared his intent, stating with a

arefully weighin

w who I was beneath the hea

or now, his voice dropping lower as he sa

blic humiliation before I approach you?" He leaned closer, his dark eyes holding mine without wavering. "Because you are not a prize to be stolen,

lf with him t

e one thing Marco