was racing. The lingering scent of Alessandro's cologne clung to the a

still erratic,

n here. In her roo

had promise

er ran down

ers tense, his hands clenched into fists. His usual cool composure was c

s fur

lessandro, bu

hard. "How d

d himself a drink, and downed it in one swift motion. When he turned back to her, his ex

e let h

isted. "Someone i

. "There's a rat among my men.

room grew thi

w enough to understand one thing-whoever had bet

ging her arms around her

w? Now, you stay exactly where I tell you to. You don'

at, but what happens when you're not here? When anoth

her before she coul

s towering over her, his hands gripping her arms. His touch

e said, his voice low and le

ounded agai

unders

o

t of his grip on her skin and the

, she

fore he released her an

between them wa

ngered on her face, she knew

tle o

ke to the sound of hushed

vious night. The memories came rushing back-the fear, Alessandro's

padded toward the door and

the traitor?" a voice as

ponded, clipped and co

re the other man spoke

stiff

answered immediately.

"You're playing a dangerous game,

heart p

at she was?

e came swiftly

breath

i

that ev

led. "Does sh

as no r

sil

en foo

jump away from the doo

immediately. His dark suit was crisp, his tie slightly loosened

, ignoring the way her heart hamm

epping inside and closing the door behi

"That's not

through his hair. "You eavesdrop on all

ouldn't have to eavesdrop

re amused by her defiance. "You

y m

hey simply star

Luca took a step clos

to stop. He thinks you belong to him, and he will come for you again. The truth is, I should've walked away the moment you stumbled

breath

them was charg

should say something-anything-

o amuse him. "Nothin

er bottom lip, and she s

pulled away, his express

urning toward the door. "

inked.

her standing in the middle of t

e

n the backseat of a sleek black car

dea where th

refused t

rms. "This is kid

e her, smirked. "Yo

because you didn't

act

before she could respond

he window and felt

d that required months of reservations and catered to p

g realizat

t just any

of Alessandro

uca sharply. "W

ng. "Because it's tim

blood r

, very bad fee

-