staurant before her. The golden lights illuminating the grand entrance, the

e wanted

p as she turned to Luca, her p

is voice was laced with cold authority.

her spine. "A r

you ar

such finality that Aria f

i

't belon

t belong

hispered, her fingers gripping the car seat. "A

ened. "He doesn'

r door opened, and Luca stepped

hesi

doors-it felt like stepping onto a bat

tanding tall and powerful, his

about what

er had

reath, she place

firm, his palm w

guided her out of the car

how B

stepped inside,

, socialites, high-ranking officials. And yet, as soon as Lu

, hushed conversations

n Luca's grasp. She knew what they were all thinking-Who is

last question was

o

n't bel

ng it clear that

, rushed toward them, bowing slightly

he restaurant, his grip unyielding. He didn't acknowled

ed the

Ar

wn in whatever twiste

heir table, Aria fel

ting for them, was the las

ssa

evil

s the definition of

with amusement as he swirled the wine in his glass. His lips curled in

, setting his glass do

stiff

ed composed. He pulled out a ch

on of a second before lowe

ed. "Let's skip the formalities, Rossi." His voice was smooth b

s smirk wid

r a brief moment, she saw somethin

hate

fingers tapping against the table. "Walk

breath

s claim in the most

"Your woman?" His eyes gleamed with amusement

htened around the

esence beside her, the w

burned into her, darin

no goo

t know where she stood in this t

ned forward, his voice low, lethal

er, but there was a flicker of

ting it down again. "Then I suppose I should congratulate you, Moretti. Bu

vy, charged with

on his gla

stomach

knew-this

a lon

Wa

sed in a t

ds that were laced with hidden me

arely

trying to steady

ft the restaurant,

tepped outside, and she inhaled deeply,

e toward the car, Alessa

ri

ed, puls

ckets, his expression unreadable. Luca was st

were

time, Aria saw Alessandro w

ething darker

arn

d, taking a slow step toward her.

tched. "I don't

o something almost sad. "You

dn't a

she wasn

dolcezza. Luca Moretti is many things." His gaze

spond, Luca's voice

terrupting

d, his mask slidi

flashing one last look at Aria befo

ave, his jaw tight,

rely br

he wanted to ignore

part of her wonde

-