ter

re leaving Baltimore, I

with you?" I asked, staring a

even looking up from his ph

at if I

nd terrifying. "Ava, if you stay here, you're a sitting duck. The Russos alrea

oed. "What even is that? So

most forming a smirk.

n. "I don't belong in your world, Nico.

u're in it now, whether you like it or not. The only questio

he first time, I saw a flicker of something I coul

d. "Fine. But I'm

the Moretti estate, I felt l

sun. Impeccably manicured gardens stretched out on either side of the long driveway, an

e?" I asked, my voice

iver's seat, his lips curving

d, pressing my forehead against

ntrance, and before I could unbuckle my seatbe

his tone formal

out and glancing at Nico, who was

tly, his hand brushing the small of my back a

nside, I felt the weigh

le floors, glittering chandeliers, and walls adorned with expensive-looking

xpressions making it clear they were more than just household staff. T

harp voice cut th

to a sleek bun and her eyes narrowing as they landed on me. She was beautiful in a

aid, his tone c

r heels clicking against the marble

said calmly, slipping

room seemed t

ief. Her gaze shifted to me, and I felt like I was being sc

Nico said,

ther. "You expect me to believe you went to V

Nico said smoothly, his grip o

n Maria let out a sharp laugh,

o you," Nico said, his voice hardening. "She's part

Instead, she turned on her heel and strode out of the

ng in my chest. "That went well," I said,

on't let her get to you. Maria's... protec

't con

terrogations. Every member of the Moretti family seemed to have

're

ands with a man Nico introd

as type," Antonio said, his

e a compliment?" I ask

Depends on how

nce a steadying force even as I felt the wei

o Nico's wing of the estat

t of amusement in his voice as

lapsing onto the plush so

said, sitting beside me. "

ving him a skeptical look.

en't like other families, Ava. Loyalty and trust mean everythi

f they

. "Because I won't let them

dn't shake the feeling that I was an

t room Nico had insisted I take, my mind

, the weight of Nico's world pressi

shadows on the wall. The Moretti estate might h

ect me, I couldn't help but wonde