rsistent, melancholic drizzle that clung to the cobblestones of the Brera District. Inside the Accad

hadn't slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the terrifying silhouette of a black machine-a

ity that had stripped her bare. She had been bold in the moment, fueled by adrenaline and th

e jawline, Bee," a voi

no, was leaning against a nearby stool, sipping a lukewarm espresso. Bella was all

urmured, trying to smudge a harsh

voice, her eyes widening. "You said he looked like he owned the city. In this neighb

anca lied, though her heart gave a traitorous thud at th

that hovered over Milan like an eagle's

ial billionaire mogul, reviewing the morning's gold market fluctuations on three separate monitors. But the fourt

The girl f

ila folder on the obsidian surface. "Twenty-one. Final year student at the Accademia. Top of her class in restoration and cons

traced the curve of her jawline on the

Alzheimer's," Enzo replied, his tone clinical. "The girl works three jobs to keep up with t

sing the laptop. The amber in his eyes seemed to glow in the d

suggested, a small, knowing smile playing on

ught the light, a drop of blood-red ruby against his tan skin. "I want th

ing on the northern docks. We have a sit-down with the union lead

It was the look of a man who had just buried his father and inh

voice a low, dangerous rumble. "The Wo

cialized in Baroque restorations, and Bianca loved the silence of it. Today, she was positio

sn't the usual light tinkle; it was f

with you in a moment," she called out, he

he marble floor. The sound sent a jolt of recognition up her spine. The air in the gallery s

n her cotton swab

oretti looked entirely too large for the space, his broad shoulders and dark elegance making the

her hand going to the pu

voice was smoother than she remembered, a rich barito

. She wiped her hands on her apron and stepped out from behind the re

predatory grace that forced her to stay rooted to the spot. "Milan is m

f the syllables with a slight Ital

she asked, crossing her arms. "Or are you here to com

the look of a man who had found a puzzle he intended to solve. He walked towa

for things I intend

ended to

. "And I did. Most people would have fallen to their kn

tes of hell," Bianca said, her eyes flashing green. "I don

s scent-sandalwood, rain, and expensive tobacco-enveloping her. He was a wall of heat and power. He reached out, his hand

going to change you

ach other. Bianca felt a dizzying mix of fear and an attraction so primal it frightened h

is," she whispered back, thoug

rom her ear. "Then you have a very limited imagination, piccola. This gallery, your scho

nal detachment. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, he

that the next time we meet, the

in back at him, he turned and walked out. The bell chim

nst her ribs like a trapped bird. She looked down at the coin

s she picked it up. It