at on the edge of the oversized bed, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, chin tucked in as if trying to disappear into herself. The

r encounter in the library earlier that

ena. That's not a th

er body betrayed her, tingling with a mixture o

r creak

. Lorenzo stood in the doorway, dressed in a black shirt that was

aid casually. "Yo

because I didn't

nstead, he stepped inside and closed the door behind

, Elena," he said, as

ve fool

. Elena stood, her back straightening li

y, his gaze raking over her fa

t belie

ed, and cold. "No. Yo

ak: Hidde

nd, leaned against the wall outside the security room, smoking a

ou should see," the

ena sneaking down the corridor last night-toward the

d his eyes

omething into her gown-a key she mu

bing out the cigarette. "She's

in th

chair across from Elena,

oice," he sa

ourself at night?" Her voice cracked. "You think th

to protect

tter. "By holdi

ere than me. Men who would

"What is it you're really after? What is

hat hesitation

finally said. "Something that belonge

after him

isappeared. You were the

ll I am to y

nce roared between the

-

That

always went into the early hours. She slipped from her bed, barefoot and silent. The floor

corridor from ear

stallion. The key fit the lock. The door creaked open to

er of the room

it... a p

art st

her mother. Not ju

renzo's

wrapped arou

: For Lorenzo. She's y

-

Lorenz

ed. Matteo's voice c

found

sed his eye

nna tel

no cho

-

n the

r trembling hands. Her mother had known the Salvatore

hind her sl

ped and

fury written in eve

t supposed

s. "What is this? What

mother was promised to my father

shaking. "So this..

admitted. "Bu

her hand. "I don't want to hurt you. I

y," she whispere

let you g

just like y

as if she'd

shot rang out f

to his feet, dr

re," he

uld reach the do

bleeding from the sho

gasped. "He's not who you t

stood

ehind her

ver seen before. Cold

ith a smile that sent chills down h