embling as she spoke with him. Massimo hadn't said much, just enough to make her

ace, connections, debts, threats, every shady link that could put Talana in danger

e didn't understand the danger yet, the world she was about to step back into, but she was determin

lana step out. He raised a hand, brushing a stray strand of hair from her fa

me immediately," he said, his voice low, steady, but car

e door. "How I want to hold her... keep her saf

a controlled fire only he could wield. "Lorenzo, have you managed

to the passenger seat behind him. "The bastard's been moving in silence, using fronts to cover up his operations, but the real ki

he steering wheel. "But why Talana? What the

his boots. His growl rumbled through the space. "I don't care what it takes. Lorenzo, fi

flecting a storm in his eyes. "Talana isn't just anyone. She's mine, and I'll

uilding within his Don. "Understood.

n vein pulsing at his temple.

elicate yet strong, the soft tilt of her head when she laughed, the way her eyes sparked like fire when sh

der his breath, downing the whiskey in

tly. "Boss!" Matteo's voi

Massimo demand

days... Donatello, de Marco, and Rossi,"

"Find Rossi. I want him delivered before the end of

De Marco had deep connections in Mexico. Rossi? He w

ive?" Matteo and Lorenzo asked in

mirk darken

ponded, admiration and f

whispered to Lorenzo, almost in awe. "I've never seen the Don

was, Massimo Morelli wasn't goi

Roberto Sanchiano," Massimo order

os

barked, ey

e call. "Morelli, young man," the elder Don

danger," Massimo said, letting

e. "I knew that bastard was trouble th

atello and de Marco, but whatever it is, it's bigger than just gambling. I've ordered my me

bring her in when the time is ri

mina. She wants in. I'll help h

house tomorrow. Either she stays with me, or I h

t Talana's home,

her screamed, slapping h

"What the hell?" she gr

ith De Marco. You're going

a roared, fury blazing in her

s fingers shook as she sent a

as instant.

's arrival. Talana darted out the back, avoiding her fa

ded on the handprint across her cheek. "

e away to De Marco!" she spat, r

, fingers tightening on the steering

tonight," he declared, eye

breathed,

ured, softer now, a s

hese bastards," she whis

o's on it too," he replied, his g

his?" Her uncertainty was palpable, fear mixing wi

y angel wants," he said, but inside, he vowed silently, "Whatever it take

hering. A war had begun, and Talana was at the center, as for

h rage and desire. Talana sat beside him, quiet, her fingers gripping the edge of the seat, trembli

almost a growl, "i'm going to mak

the tension between them thick enough to choke on. She could feel it in the press

audible. "I... I don't want to hide.

s gaze. "You're my angel. My fight is yours, and this," he said, letting hi

e leaned closer, his scent, leather, cologne, danger, filling her senses. The car, t

his time trembling under the w

igniting a fire she hadn't expected. Her lips parted, a small shiver running thr

's gaze locked on hers, a storm of lust, anger, and protectiveness coiling

the danger, the promise, and the raw intensity. She knew he was capable of murde

epped inside, the tension between them heightened. Massimo didn't give her a chance to breathe, his hands pressing against he

tom lip. "Not until we've dealt with them, but know this..." His ha

herself. "I want to be yours," she whispered, the words ba

eyes matched by the heat pooling between them, "and I'll make

Massimo's phone buzzed on the counter. He tore his gaze from her reluctantly, swipin

dge of vengeance. Talana watched him, noting the change, the predator ready to strike. She

r hand to his chest. She could feel the rapid beat of his

g hers in a brief, searing k

ly. Massimo was a man of action, a man who didn't wait for the storm, he became

drawing her in deeper. She wanted to follow, to fight alongside him, but she knew her role, her power

nt. "Stay here tonight. Sleep. Eat. Breathe. And trust me," he murmured, brushing a strand

re. Her fingers brushed his hand instinctively, and he caught her wrist, pressing her fingers to

ot just from desire but from the knowledge that the world out

his focus was Talana, the tension of protection still coiling between them. "Prepar

ed, his eyes noting the da

arged with the promise of blood and fire. Talana shivered, half from de

hand to her lower back, and whispering, "sleep, angel. Dream of me, because tomor

sperate kiss, her nails tracing his should

essing it to his chest

nside, a war was already underway, a battle of blood, power, and desire, and as Talana

ized, and the moment of calm was nothi

mo stiffened, his body tensing as he moved toward

on the mat. No name. No markings. He picked it up slowly, tearing it open.

assimo's eyes were cold, dangero

growled. "And