end, his voice clipped and stead

nd the glass of scotch in his grip. The scent of oak an

him just enough food to keep him going. We'l

ound, the faint echo of boots on concret

orenzo affirmed befo

he turned back to Talana. His eyes softened, grounding her with that one

his posture commanding yet calm. The low light cast shadows over his weath

measured, "there are a few things y

. "My mother?" she echo

ith all this?" she thought, a dee

oo soon. Her father had told her it was an accident. The doctors had said the operation went well. Yet, when Talana

stions with the coff

l give you the truth straight. Your mother was cut off from her

But she never told me why. Every time she spoke abo

s weathered hand over hers, strong, fatherly, reassuring.

d. "How do you know my gra

eaned forward, voice low and certain,

at?" The word fell fro

nchiano. My granddaughter, and this..." he gestur

sed on her chest like iron. "This is... too much

warmth steadied her trembling body. "I know it's a lot, angel," he

anchiano empire. Mariano here was adopted, but he has alway

r voice catching. "You're sa

rk. "Dona Sanchiano," he corrected. "Y

rm. Roberto's eyes glistened with quiet pride. "It's time, my grandchild, for

he table. Her pulse thudded in her ears. "But.

, angel, she didn't. We've suspected foul play for years. A

Not from weakness, but from power. Fr

ce steady now, "because if I am the rightful

urning behind his dark

the intensity between

began, only for him to cut

Max," he

de her. "Okay, Max. Then tell me, how are you

t, "because you were always meant to be mine," he said. "Since we were young I've had you

them. "And what if I don't agr

breath. "Ah, but angel, you

ly nearby, snorted with laughter.

er a glare, c

's phone buzzed again, the sharp

immediatel

s breathless, urgent. "Boss..

cold. "What do you m

r. We're checking

ice. "Check every camera. Every seco

ted, his tone grim. "T

yes narrowe

ssage... writ

one f

led me when you had the chanc

hung heavy

d, Talana's voice cut through the tension, calm, deadly, chillingly sure. "Le

, astonishment flicke

ghter, not the fragile girl trying to find her

And God help anyone

old Don's lips curved slightly, pride gleaming in h

ed toward her. "If they think they can take my angel, they're wel

"Then it's settled," she said, her tone calm but laced w

gazza mia?" Roberto asked carefully, th

nger trembling with fear but burning wi

o confirmed, the pride

sh, she found something... something that got her killed. I need to know what it was.

a name, Donatello,and a woman, Maria, both tied to your father and De

t. "Maria," she repeated, her voice

than anyone realized. Your father, De Marco, Donat

, fierce resolve filled her. "Then

edatory. "Damn, angel, you make me wa

p enough to spark. "Focus, Max," she said quietly, though

y, okay, the sexual tension is insane. Can we get

orm. Even Roberto chuckled, shaking his h

e," she said, gri

aid out beneath warm candlelight. The atmosphere eas

with Talana, their ste

angel?" he

on unreadable. "I have you and

hing his thumb over her

ng, safety had been an illusion, now, i

ing into hers. "You drive me insane, ange

e challenged, her voice

man who wanted nothing more than to claim her right

she said

ainst him. The heat between them ignited instantly, their

f to pull back. "You start training tomorrow. You'll ne

tment flickering through h

romising. "After that

mbling with equal parts defiance a

er ear, his eyes softening just for

im: the ruthless Don the world feared, and the man who'd silently guarded her

eaths mingling, a stolen se

" he said finally, his

murmured, her hand

ied, though they both

ghtly. A cold breeze slithered through the hall, f

. Something wasn't right. From the far corner of the vil

en, through the silence, a voice d

killed me when yo

blood r

le rose, fresh, blood-red, lay on the windowsill

he mutter

ips, but it wasn't out of fear. It wa

erious. "They want you, angel, and now,

and unwavering, "g