se over New York like a bloo

ling windows of Leonardo's penthouse,

s honking, people shouting,

alls, though,

n a word to her since

even loo

ke discarded baggage and

apo

plana

sil

ore than she

ol to think the k

s still just a

-

ast Wa

amed Clara - brought a sil

ara said softly, her

ssant, a steaming cappuccino, a

omach twist

in days, but the thought

u," she w

ded and h

d nervously. "You should ea

eng

unded forei

gth did sh

p the croissant, nibbling it like a

rous thought was beginning

't stay we

-

le, Acr

blood-red nails against the

at across from her, reading a dos

word like venom. "Ariana Monroe. She's

chuckle

tters to men like Leonardo," he s

's eyes

destroy her before

aised an

? That li

her," Luciana said tightly. "He's wea

leaned back

en are easy to co

ed - cold an

ined," she said. "I want

ardo stands

s smile

e'll fa

-

the Pe

elvet couch, sketching aimlessly in a batt

hing that kept he

ould control the chaos, even

portrait of the New York skyli

lack coat billowing behin

o her feet, h

ed... d

re

gr

ew a folded newspaper

cked to the

d f

bold, crue

Plaything: The Stre

r from the gala, looking lost and terrified

blood tur

ered. "I didn't-

Leonardo s

clenched a

world d

his movements sh

wled. "Someone's trying to

swallow

why

her with a look so intense

you're my

were low.

her more than any

s, in their wor

-

ccusa

a found herself summone

y and old leather, the walls lined w

ve oak desk, his face

hing," he said, his v

working w

linked,

ha

he Bianchis

orward, eye

y you to get

art sh

ice broke. "You think

said harshly, "that

ned Arian

ke them," s

of si

id something th

- a short,

m," he said coldly. "You

-

e

called a meeting with

buzzed with

, ignored but watching ever

nning," Leonardo said. "If we don't r

nd man, Marc

mething on Lucian

shook h

We need to

less glint l

ng the figh

-

That

in her bed, stari

al

going

he lio

she barely

for

sur

scraps of dign

may

something m

wisted part of her wante

sn't a

uld be

firs

the monsters wait

e, just

become a