ence, but the atmosphere felt charged with unexpressed thoughts. My f
i kn
s meant to be his. He
session. I had become a coveted trophy, somethin
uettes, but I couldn't focus on any of it; my thoughts were still trapped in that house, replaying m
of course
a conflict he had begun long befor
with suspicion. "How long have yo
y placid expression, sipped his whis
. "And you didn't t
d. "Would it have
ge igniting within me
his intense gaze locking o
me uninformed was for my own benefit. But I understood the truth Dante didn't
ment, he held
he darkness. As soon as the driver opened my door, I stepped out, needing to put some space bet
teps toward the entrance wh
ast, litt
my hear
his scent a blend of whiskey and something darke
uestions for yo
y chin defiantly. "I d
low, knowing. "
remind me of who was in charge. He guided me inside, through the grand foyer an
st
d with books and fine liquor, it exuded powe
, the click of the lock se
, his gaze
it
arms. "I'd pr
ng him out, before pouring himse
ixated on me. After a pause, he asked, "Te
u were right there. Y
mirked.
ed a tightenin
What are you
y increasing. "You spoke to him al
ed hard.
ened. "So wha
peared more anxious than usual not just about Ricci knowing abou
enly, it
shared e
e change in my demeanor. "There it is," h
. "I don't know
returning. "You're a ter
rward, backing me against the desk un
me smaller, t
ered softly. "Fine, but unders
ist-just a touch, but it was e
ou can't int
hispered, his lips nearly touching m
trayed me, responding to his proximity in ways I
myself more for
slowly, deliberately. "Tell me," he u
to keep my
I
sh, a loud knock sh
frustration barely mas
tered with an unreadable exp
clenched.
to me before returning
omach
stiffened. "W
ned dark. "He s
rned, but now it w
sement glinting dang
ured. "Let's see wha
*
arrived in
, lacking any markings or threats. Yet Dante's men han
thered in his study: me, Luca, and a han
as a sin
otog
as I moved close
e of me, only i
with my father. Before I had been given
st the photo tha
he note
ways meant
m fell
low, menacing sound. "
the note, chest tightening w
't just ta
watching m
y thoughts. "Looks like Ricc
able to whisper, "
e." He brushed his fingers over the
ar has only
*
. The photograph of my younger self was in Dante's hands,
ways meant
prickled with the realization that this was
ing me long before D
ght made me f
voice trembled. "How
g he might tear it. He tossed it onto the desk, his fa
e doorway, stepped forwa
wed hard
oss the desk toward Dante. I noticed his hands tr
ing it in silence. His smirk
ded it
rembling slightly as I unfolded the paper, dread
me. Just like
ad washe
neath my feet, and I
mot
racing for a rational exp
ng before I understood what men like Ricci and Dante could do. My father had spoken li
t.
ggested somethi
had never
ly, his expression unre
y head up.
connection to
tricting. "No. It can't be true
sick? Did she really d
picion slither
he had be
he rubbed his face. "This
fingers against the wood, deep in thought. "It m
coursed t
our mother belonged to Ricci, then yo
tightening. "He was
xygen had been rip
gambled with money he
th
step back, my
barely audible, "that my father took my
l, but his silence
t nau
uca. "Get my
smallest of nods. Then he hurried out, leaving m
elf, I said, "Tell me everything y
ow, I assumed Ricci's only issue with your father was mon
g. "And you think my fathe
nt. "I think your father has been lyi
spond further, th
into a chair across from me. He looked paler than
you everything
ietly but firml
ffened
note onto the tabl
e turne
voice trembling. "You told me
lurted out, per
icci claim she b
nveloped
his hands into fist
oment, I
urking all along ben
silence. "Did you
aw tightened,
closer, whispering
harshly,
oom t
e of the desk, my
king his head. "Well, well. Seem
er blooming as I stare
ed to flee from Ricci, to escape that life. I took her away, we
d slightly. "And n
tempted to escape, and my father had stolen her from a monster. Now
n't planning
xpression grave. "Now you
n dawning. "Because Ricci wa
e knows I have you, he's
, attempting to a
mother from Ricci, and after her death if she had indeed died he kept me hid
aken me before
ermined to reclaim wh
were aware this would happen. You knew that one day Ricci wo
to spill, yet I
r remain
shadow beside me. "Looks like
cked eyes with him.
. "I don't need to stop him." His gaze then flicked
t his possessive tone, yet deep
rotecting me o
arding what b
ther I wante
t of a conflict b