o's

world. Strength came easily; control seemed like an old friend I could depend on when all else fai

in with the smallest of finger gestures. Though all I could see in the city below was Isabella's

Terrorized. Bella showed none of this as a piece in the game of men. She was internally burning, an

hich took me off-target from hers. I l

his road map. I'm on i

ths searching for a weakness. Now Bella is in

llow. The apartment was uneasily packed tonight. I

e my room was silent. Inside, I could sense motion. Quiet

t was about her that had so profoundly upset me. I wa

ted for the elevator, ever

y haven-the one spot in the city where I could think straight. Bella's presence seeme

h ladies. Thousands, maybe more. None of them, though, ca

y spreading lights of New York create a network of power and an

a part of my reality, right here now.

ppealing. There always was trouble when we were by ourselves. Underneath

who it was and hear

ven though I could see the w

essed. For years Sofia has been my right hand, a consistent friend in this cutthroat environment. But I be

yperbolic. He corresponds with the Bellinis. R

o bite tigh

s growing more fearless. He is devel

Ren has been a thorn in my side. And today, Be

with Ren when the time comes." Still, we have

rk of danger lighting her ga

eye. Something bothered me. She had always been loyal, but I sometimes

a laid-back manner, yet her

abou

ned in a smile. "Enzo, I don't believe her." Yo

oncentrated. Bella is my hus

me. "Just keep in mind, you cannot shi

ft, leaving her i

t back to the penthouse. Ren obviously experienced difficultie

n her. To understand whatev

was dark, the moon softly illuminating the huge windows. Bella was standing at the wi

eplied, my

not around. "What are

ion between us still hang

with rage. About what? You confined me here as though I were a prisoner. Alternatively, maybe in

onally, but I stayed cool. Be

at then am I? Who is your friend? Thi

here. Bella, right here is my wi

g and falling with every inhale

She stammered but did not move away. N

tween us, anger, fear, and something else-something

" She spoke softly, almo

lla, we live in this world. You are among it

hing flickering in them. unpleasantness. A panic.

'll never be like you, Enzo," she said

this case you have no option. You are at home. And t

in approaching the window. You misunde

unresolved conflict. I turned and exited the room then, with

nspired weighed in my chest. Bella was accurate once more. To

h her let me know I wa

e