uci

of intimidation. I wasn't really nervous; I had been raised among wolves and knew how to keep my head hig

kets, while Antonio lingered on my left with that smug littl

udged me

"Far side of the room,

owed h

an O

nbothered by the world buzzing around him. His posture

t out a lo

the Gentleman Devi

o's express

c. He's walki

ust once, but I masked

Matteo gave me a reassuring squeeze on the arm. "You'll

his attitude

ted and ste

e the Russian heir alone as he appr

ness of his accent, somehow less formal and more intimate t

"Rumors travel faster t

ey hit harder

n us. The music swelled, glasses clink

from his grip. The crystal shattered, and champagne sprayed like liquid gold

. Eyes pricked with judgment.

ervened. N

eel the fear pouring off him. In our w

. He crouched-not to berate, not to

said softly. "

ly uncommon. Mafia men don't offer reassurances like that. They

Adrian stood tall, brushing off his hands with an air of

ed. I was still trying to catch up with the fact that th

d off his hands, eyes

nt tugging at his mouth. "Did

y. "I've never seen a mafia do

warm, subtle b

etter if I sho

laugh escaped me, light and unwilling. He looke

ere wrong. Maybe there were men who ruled

who I was-a Moretti-and composed myself, spine str

s breathtaking when they're surprise

ocus on the im

dent grin held a compelling assurance. "We'll be

especially when he added, "You

from New York because our engag

to steady myself. "This all

. "But there are specific exp

t those entail

We'll make an heir when the time is right. You'

itched at t

I

is the most generous p

ent into something iron-shaped

had no choice, my father wouldn't let me

oking pleased, and

xt time,

before I could decide if I

nd grasped the

ould be bold en

" Antonio teased, laughter bubbling out o

e my way to the bar, trying to ignor

-

ar Antonio's mocking voic

ling at him th

meant nothing. It

first crack

e someone mad

o a man who would never su

inter lights, looking at me with a smile that made me feel l

enderness wa

the explosion that tore us both apart. The scar sits just under my left side, a thin white line that

g tires still cling

nd the world has

uts through the

in," I

ment I see him, my breath hitches. My brother, typically so expressi

ere to be found. In his place stands a Moretti heir-my brother,

y before he regains his composu

eets tightly.

ly, as though any sudden m

" he murmurs. "The brak

g around

t-an eternity, reall

arely manag

's sharp, almost painful, like the we

wanted to dismantle the allianc

escapes me. "But how

ntil the ceremony. No one outside

expressi

re, sorella. Even in the

ce deeper than

et so fast the cha

chest tightens like a f

y voice shakes. "They planned this

says n

ce is con

slowly, my br

voice falters. "Why

t," Antonio says softly.

ess

gh the man I co

supposed to sit here? Pretend everything's fine? Sweep t

s jaw ti

mself together

. "Not until we know exactly who gave

nder my ribs, searing, exp

I whisper. "They

k for a second that I don't crave rev

spill, but I refus

en't we doin

gently gripping my

. not yet. Father wants to

ward the do

voice softens. "I didn't

behind him, the rage spill

n Adrian Orl

y can evade the storm I'

ning brightens outside, yet it fee