refuse. For a moment, the flickering café light above them cast deep shadows across

d man, asking for a marriage that should never have been an option. But desperation had a

nning," he said, his

ched together in her lap, and for the first time, Leandro noticed the br

ned a shipping company-small, but profitable. Until two years ago, when he made the mistake of trusting the wrong

drummed against

ed. "Riccar

not just a man who loaned money-he was a wolf who sank his teeth into the desperate and n

bt falls on you

rely leaves his bed anymore. My mother... she's

ke her father before-weak men who made mist

atened you

for negotiation." She lifted the sleeve of her dress slightly, revealing the

his fingers curling agai

ut. But I know one thing about men like Esposito-they don't touch a

ried woman, especially one under the protection of another man

as asking for so

," he said slowly, "without

at angle. But then, she squared her shoulders. "I don't

yed at the corner

this life in the shadows to escape the world of power an

a thought

tually one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. That she was unkn

in a long time, Leandro

ng her eyes widen slightly in sur

curled into fists.

word," he murmured, his voice smooth despite th

hesitation cr

tion, cara mia. And if we are to fool men like Esposito, then this ca

ed. "What exactly

will be my wife in the eyes of the world. And until t

ight, true uncertainty fl

with herself. This was her fina

she exhaled

said quietly

smile spread acr

be