sia

t. My loyalty. Each word was a carefully constructed lie, earning

h respect, now openly mocked me in a corner. "Look at her," one sn

Dante stood nearby, watching it all. His silence was his consent. It was a clear message: without his favor, I

lcove, away from the prying eyes of the par

ft. Then, she leaned closer, her tone dropping to a sharp

wer, the entire gr

n of tortured metal. I looked up. The massive crystal chandelier, a

slo

black silk and controlled violence. He sprinted, his eyes locked

was

e in my direction. He launched himself at Isabella, wrapping his

as a shield for her

e's weight crushed my leg, the sound of my own bone snapping swallowed

checking Isabella for any scratch, his face a mask of pure terror for he

t thing I saw was my brother's face,

hispered, m

"I'm so sorry, Aless

ad hardened to steel. I looked into his eyes, letting him se

e didn't need to

hing on a wave of pain. "The transport

arp nod, his jaw tig

r a choice. It was a nec