lla's

as he all but assured me that I was next on his kill list. Every time I considered what he said, my h

here

pallid against the silky cloth of my nightgown, dark circles ringed my eyelids. I seemed delicate

e intense. Enzo and his guys had been busy; the penthouse became an improvis

Deep down, though, I knew it was just a m

fastening it around my waist. I could not spend eternity trapped in this chamb

I entered the corridor. My pulse thumping in my chest, I followed

radio, "Marco's not going to stop." "He has

unger brother of Enzo. Since the wedding, he was the only person living in this house who had even s

Enzo snapped." "I worry abo

ryway. Something stopped me even though every instinct urged

ng to hear. I had to kn

eye of both guys. Enzo stared at me down and dow

his voice low. The mome

nce and terror. "I will not spen

ck eyes. "Your figh

myself with the clarity of my voice. Though I was not sure where the boldness came fr

round between us like electricity. Matteo peered b

relaxed. "Fine," he answered, sounding qui

oomy countenance matched the lines of territory his finger followed. Feeling more like an o

he main fronts for the Vitale family." But they are sloppily. Marco's only

a trap?," With his bro

Enzo said. Know

ing a game with us. Still, Enzo saw something in his eyes-someth

orried m

d, but before I could continue En

. There is no negotiation h

violence and power plays where the cost was blood; I was not used to this. But just now I could

dible, "I just want to understand." "

he said, "What's going to happen?" "We are going to take back control. We also

nded mere territory or authority. This revolved around sur

st, engulfing me entirely. Every sound, every squeak of the floors had my heart pound

ying next to me m

elaxed in the moon's little light, his breathing was consistent. But I understoo

element as well. anything

restless sleep. My eyes opened, my breath seized in my

voice low and har

ed the air between us, the unsaid worry that had b

ly, his hold on my wrist tightening just slightly. Bell

me, his words shivered down my spine. I didn't

efore I could reply. As Enzo sat up, his body tens

oice crisp and for

motions quiet and deliberate as he slid off bed. Watching h

quite identify. Though I wanted to be motionless and believe E

open, and Enzo emerged

e replied, "We hav

e dark apartment hall. Shouts, footsteps, the clear sou

I gasped, trying to m

ce taut with rage. " Someone made it past s

d; Enzo throwing it open drew me inside. We went down a little stairc

to? Was it men under Marco's command? luca? Before we went down the ste

a running engine already. Enzo opened the door for

right away a

city lights blurring as we rushed through

Whatever was occurring, it was beyond my wildest expectatio

creen illuminating Luca Vitale, which made my pulse stop cold. Enz

arrogant and sloppily venomous. "You did

nzo's eyes moved to mine, and for the first time I saw something in hi

safe," clutching the steering wheel

meant. As headlights showed up in the rearview mirror, rapidly