ina'

ht and shadow. This city was everything to people like us-cold, hard, and indifferent. It mirrored the life I had chosen

u

e. He was just another player in a game bigger than both of us. That's how I had to see him. The chemistry between us was undeniab

quite breach. And maybe that was for the best. If I let myself care about him, it would complicate things-things I couldn't afford to complicate. But there was

let his emotions slip. He kept everything too w

standing there, his figure framed by the dim light from inside. His eyes s

ow and casual, but I could hear the undercurrent of tens

ed, keeping my voice neutral

r. "Trying to make sure you're not doing something reckless," he said, tho

oll my eyes. His arrogance was palp

I'm just standing here, Luca. You're the on

expression. "Maybe. But you're right about one thing-you're not like the o

compliment, but it wasn't the time to analyze his words. T

, but firm. "I'm here for something much bigger.

face. But it was gone before I could name it. H

angerous. "But I do play them. So be careful what you're will

ous, yes. But I already knew that. The danger wasn't what scared me. It w

forcing myself to sound confident. "I've alr

pting something unspoken between us. He looked like he was about to speak, but just then, a s

ll get it," he muttered, stepping awa

recognized stood in the doorway, someone from m

k," the man said, his

y out of sight. The less anyone knew about why I was here, the better. Revenge had

a's

stay. Evelina was dangerous, I knew that much. She was too sharp, too calculating, and she made it c

admit, I re

se cool, unreadable eyes, I saw a flicker of something more. I didn't know what it was, but it unsettled me. It shouldn

d to be

p the distance between us, to remind myself that she was nothing more than a player in a game. But her presence-her au

een us was thick, crackling with unsaid words. I knew why she was here. The reason she

here was no warmth there, no softness. Just the steely

r," she said, her

ying to make sure you're not doing something reckless," I replied, though part

ad, she just met my gaze. "Reckless? I'm just standing here

She was bold, even for someone who

sharp, the steel in it clear. "I'm here for something muc

ly pull it off. Her determination was palpable, but there was something else lurking

warning, but I was careful not to make it sound like a threat. "But I do play them. So b

. "I'm not afraid of your world, Luca. I've a

ed. It was the same thing that had drawn me to her in the first place-the fire bene

oor interrupted us, and I felt the change

Rocco, an old associate of mine. His face was grim, an

o talk," he said

hand. But as I glanced over my shoulder, I couldn't help but wonder if Eve

he careful dance between her and Luca. They both know the other has hidden motives and secrets, but there's an unde