ist hovered low across the Sanchiano estate like a veil of secrets. She slipped into her mother's black athletic gear, the fabri

an expanse of gravel, steel targets, and rough terrain, and waiting at the center of it all stood Mariano Sa

ut commanding. "You need to become more tha

ted. "Then let's not waste ti

a faint, approving smirk.

he rugged estate, through mud, sharp rocks, and uneven slopes. No music. No co

behind her. "Imagine you're being hunted

, lungs screamed, but she didn't slow down. She ran

her knees, chest heaving. Mariano didn't move to help. He j

king her cheek. "You'll have to t

ker of pride in hi

opponent: Salvatore, one of Roberto's most loyal soldiers

rawled, stretching his ne

a snapped, her tone sha

s size. She dodged, her movements quick, instinctive, but not fast enough. His

murmured ne

w her mother's face, her blood on the floor. T

ed left. Then, lightning quick, she pivoted and drove her elbow into his ribs, forcing

, rubbing his leg

his arms. "She'

e, sweat dripping down

ng inside her had finally awakened. She returned to the villa, collapsing onto the couch in the common ro

sleeves, and the kind of presence that stole the

oice smooth as silk and lac

murmured, her lip

and slightly calloused, began to rub her calves, slow and deliberate. She closed h

you into a weapon

pered. "I want t

darkened. "Yo

s. For a moment, the mafia world outside didn't exist. Th

red where the line was. "Let's get dinner, angel. You

her waist was steady, grounding. Dinner was simple, soup, bread and quiet conve

rs. "Night, angel," he said softly

l him to stay, but she didn't. S

stared at her reflection in the mirror again, her mother's fire

other test, and she

d, her muscles still sore from the day before, but her determination sharper than ever. Her mother's gear clung to her l

she arrived. "Morning, killer," he greeted, h

areful, Uncle. I m

epping back. "T

t. By the third, her aim was steady, her breathing calm, her heart synced with the r

no pride flickering in his eyes. "You've go

sweat glistening at he

resetting the targ

anical silhouettes spun and shifted. Mari

ef

ow

ind

e morning air. Missed shots were punished with push-ups

d the estate's tall cypresses, s

aw. But when she looked up, Mariano

id softly. "A Sanchiano heart beats in y

his eyes. "I don't want to just be a San

smile. "Then we'll

dining table, her body aching but her mind alive with adrenaline. She'd barel

he throat, revealing just enough to make her heart sk

n's got a natural killer's instincts. You mig

rd her. "Angel wouldn't hurt

ght the flicker of amusement in her uncle's eyes. She bl

e her. "How was weapons training?" he asked,

"I hit every target that moved.

ned. "My dan

rest, but the moment he touched her wrist, all

eaten?"

ry," she

gth up." He pushed the plate

e took a few bites, watching him through

he stood and offe

sanctuary of her room. The air smelled faintly of lavender and g

filling the silence. "You've done enough fighting for

she sank into it. Massimo sat nearby, rolling his sleeves higher, his

said softly. "Business in Naples, but

" she teased, though her voice gave aw

hair from her cheek. "I'll make up for it Fr

uickened. "

es glinting.

er, his hands resting gently on her shoulders. "You're changing," he said quietly. "Every da

his gaze. "Maybe it's

ine, his breath near her ear. For a heartbeat, neither moved,

ely. "Not tonight," he w

murmured, sm

nger than necessary. "Sleep, angel.

dge of her bed, fingers tracing the faint bruise on her arm from t

e men who had destroyed her life. When she woke, the dawn light caught the lo

ver without one consuming the other, and somewhere deep down, Talana kne