a's

reatening m

ng. His voice was low, controlled-but I felt it anyway, se

am

t loud. Not dramatic. Still, the sound

hind silence and

ne s

tinued. "But I'm not. I have the

ds settle over the table l

said at last. "And if it's igno

ot because we're rewriting the rules." His voice droppe

said n

w, his voice sharpening, "-don't care how you feel

o didn

unsettled

the table, gaze lifting slowly to Marcio-as if Marc

o fall," Carlino

ed his mouth. Not w

bored. "I've ruled this empire longer without a Donna than most of

ces of the Cosa Nostras one by one. He di

rning his gaze to Marcio. "As though they were carved by gods and not b

hide behind elections because

his throat. "With respect, Don Carlino

," Carli

ned in. "The fami

someone else added. "A Do

followed

ed. Perhaps h

we've become." He rose then-slowly

like a treaty," he said, his voice hardening. "You call

a woman to legitimize his authorit

Power must be anchored, Ca

table. "Power is anchored by

le

beat, Carlino

ts as democracy..." He spread his hands

pa

hold your

ed-relief, tri

s eyes d

t Carlino raised his han

because when I win, there will be no more whis

d, palms pressin

coldly, "remember this moment.

cut back

o finished. "Then step back and watch

st the floor. As they did, Carlino spoke again-too casuall

he said evenly, "stability

was

dn't

efore Carlino or any of his men could notice me. My p

straight i

lashing hot and sharp. A cry tore out of me before

stretched across his chest and arms, hinting at power he didn't bother to hide. Olive-toned skin, touched faintly by the sun. Dark hair

a, r

ightened. He

up my spine. He didn't look threatening-not yet-but his voice carried certa

id, firmer

there?" He gestured t

y leg. "I took their meal. I was told to." He s

his house," he said. "So tell me-what'

t's for you to dec

is mouth twitch

hing

my grip tigh

that?" I snapped, the words flying out before I coul

your

't rise. It d

u over. You're what was left when he ran out of options. If you had mattered, he woul

back, jaw tightening. "So do

is hand

rac

" The command sliced thr

rl

ce, yet the room bent ar

turning, irritation flashing

ugh." One w

not-" I

ask you

outh, fingers curling at my side. Then he turned back to Damie

's mine." The statement

berate. "You don't speak to her either. Not a

away. "Step out of line again," he said quietly,