't just the darkness that seeped into the air wherever he went-it was the way everything seemed to bend under his influence. His power, the way people moved and shifted around him l

owly, what it meant to e

was told. The first few names were simple enough-low-level operatives in his network. People who dealt with logistics, with de

have imagined herself doing. But it was all for Nico. She couldn't forget that. Every action, every grim task, every moral c

ssive, suffusing every room with a sense of inevitability. He was everywhere, yet always untouchable. Every time

days that Luca decided

ze stirred the branches of the trees, but it did little to ease the tightness in her chest. Her thoughts were clouded, conflicted. She had been living under Luca's roof for weeks now, her every mov

before the door to the study o

but edged with something she could

her heart leaping in

alculating, as though he was measuring her, gauging her every reaction. He was

inued, stepping closer. "A simp

've been doing everything you've asked me to," she said, trying to keep her voice

h to send a chill down her spine. "You misunderstand," he said

tomach tightening with u

felt far too intimate for comfort. "I told you before, Iso

arp and heavy. For a moment, she could onl

a pawn in my game. You're the queen. And I'm offering you a seat at my side. You'll never have

. "I'm not your queen," she said, her voice trembling, but she

nderstand. It always happens that way." His gaze softened for a brief moment, and then, like a switch, he was back

sion spreading throug

e them change." Luca's smile returned, but this time, it was colder, more dangerous. "What I'm asking you to do now is simple, really. You'll

o act as his puppet, to do whatever dirty work he wanted her to do, all while wearing the mask of

uietly. "I'm not one of your soldiers, your agen

e coaxing one it had been earlier. "You protect Nico, and you make sure you're not just another

cal wound. But they were also a threat, a prom

t me?" she asked, her voice q

se can give me." His eyes flicked down to Nico, still peacefully asleep in her arms. "And if you play your part,

he was trapped. The only question was how m

finally, her voice bare

ut there was no warmth

said. "You'

rashing down on her. There was no turning back now. She