WO: Blood i

asn't used to

t cardigan colors, neatly tied hair, notebooks always pressed close to

night, that feeling-*eyes

dered. She chalked it up to routine. But then, she spotted the man across the street again. Sam

self it was

e envelo

ddress. Just her name in

ard with an addres

rs, come. Midnight.

gnore it-burn it, maybe. But fear and curiosit

ing li

blend in, but to feel braver. Each step toward the car w

peak. Just nodded.

n the car turned onto a gated cobblestone street and pul

s flanked

e steps s

no Mo

k turtleneck and coat, blac

voice quieter than sh

not normal,"

ed. "But neit

en. The marble entr

andeliers hung from the ceilings. Antique furniture gleamed in low lighting. The

guard in corners. Some in suits. Others

her steps. "W

residence," Luciano re

ought me here

ht you here

warm and dimly lit. A fire crackled softly. Sh

sed the doo

walking to the bar cart. "That bus

idn't

whiskey and handed one to

with strangers,

ntly. "Then l

vers," sh

no Mor

d. "As in... *

didn't wa

Whispers. Rumors. Weapons trafficking, underground ties, u

e... m

at's ne

back. "Then

hat night. They took a photo. They

ood ra

. Not yet. But if you'

ppear?" sh

d softly. "*

s hung i

her heart racing. "Wh

a. Most I control. A few... I don't. You're a

bled. "I didn't

why I'm giving

oked a

t you. Keep you close.

O

idn't happen. But if someone gets

t the fire. He

keeping me close

People won't question it. You'll stay in one of my properties. Som

a pris

e an inv

ot him

ng you because I want to. But I w

dropped my

in

you look at me like

allowe

Are

no pa

nd I don't care

than her apartment, Elena stood by the

Impossible. Dan

f her didn't

f fear-but be

eyes. Something wounded. Something

ied her more

iano watched her thr

uca said beside him. "Sh

didn't

to himself, barely e

efore it breaks her, and pro

-

BE CONTINU