er R

_

n respect, his crew following suit. I take the head of the table without a word, the authority I exude making it clear that I don't need to say anyth

the control of territory in Sicily. They want more. They want to co

the Russians. Not now, not ever. You think you can move in here and take what's mine, like some street-level punks?" I lean fo

backpedal now that he sees where this is going. "We could make a deal, Ricci," he says

head. His body crumples to the floor with a sickening thud, blood splattering across the table like a painter's mistake. The room falls silent, ever

ng their cocky grins. Their bravado is gone now, replac

, my voice steady but cold, as if there's no question. "There's no nego

all know the same thing: they're out of options. It's not

n front of them. The Russians know better than to argue. They scribble their names on

them go, knowing full well they'll think twice before trying anything in my city again. The m

power. I lean back in my chair, my gaze drifting over to the high window. I wonder if Rose is thinking about me right now. I c

the gnawing feeling in my chest. I know one thing for sur

the city, I can't

mine, and

nes, and click on the monitor. The familiar security footage from the penthouse

o

I watch her carefully, intrigued by the way she runs her fingers over the furniture, the soft movements of her steps. The city l

inctively knowing she's about to touch something she shouldn't. I lean forward slightly, watching as her fingers trace

uriosity burning behind her eyes. She wonders what's behind that door. What I'm keepin

her, the way she can't help but wonder. She moves toward the library now, her fingers grazing the spines of the books.

us about the collection I keep there. She's tracing them, her eyes scanning the titles, probably wondering

ment. But then she steps closer to the locked door again. I see her hesitate,

ouch it

e same look of rebellion flickering across her face. She's not going to lis

o know what

he way she tries to fight the rules I set for her, even as she follows them

d what she's look

as she decides to leave the door behind. I shake my head, almost disapp

, Rose.

absorbed by the lens. I make a mental note. Tonight, I'll take her somewhere else, somewhere that will keep h

s, the more she's bound to find h