na

pted phone vibrated a

the screen casting a severe,

I told him he could keep it permanently. I will or

the messag

ry. I simply typed my reply w

gift. He waited three weeks f

turned the ph

it for his j

ers and closed my eyes, letting the darkness

the penthouse was

eturned

city skyline when the deadbolts dis

iving room and stopp

leather sofa, fully dressed in

e placed perfectly by the door

t us, a flicker of genuine panic

acket and pulled out three thick, black envelo

th a solid, de

icilian Estate," Dante announced, his voic

ead sna

my son's e

pes, the gold Syndicate crest

excitement, having begged to s

is dark hair. "We leave immediately. As a family. The off

sive, brilliant smile b

orgive everything

eared hi

word falling into the room with

froze on L

rday," Dante said, avoiding my eyes and looking at the wa

in. I need to go check on her and secure her peri

so much die as it was extingui

n's posture go

his disappointment so palpable it seemed

erate calculus of duty and desire, f

assuming our silen

y managed his wife and appeas

moothly, turning toward the door. "You are

and the door lo

s motorcade faded from the street bel

. He blinked slowly, his gaze drifting past my shoulder t

necting him to his fa

of any childish warmth. "I never want to see the