of the warmth and grace it once exuded. The formerly beautiful estate resembled a ghost of its former self, with cracked windows, overgro

e he was

fat

han I remembered. He appeared weary, as if the burden of his decisions had finally

forcing a smile that bare

sides, a whirlwind of anger, disgust, and confusion roiling within me. It had been we

ever car

nothing, the atmosphere around him thickened with unspoken authority.

e was

was not m

o had gambled away

ly said, his voice uncertain, as

sh, bitter laug

ng to Dante before returning to me

coolly. "Yes. But

words, but I rem

kets, his tone smooth and unreadable. "Yo

day would come." He locked eyes with me, and for a brief moment, I th

sing in my throat. "You didn't just betray me. You sold me li

agged. "I had n

Instead, you handed me over to him." I gestured toward Dante, my gaze st

kily, his hands clenc

Dante interrupted, his tone casual

hitched in

ther slowly. "Wha

ained

y heart racing. "Te

confirmed my

around m

Dante simply as his first collector. But i

My voice barely rose above

shut his eyes befo

around me. M

ather continued, his voice strai

ve washed

ust claimed me

n me from M

cci wasn't merely another criminal; he made Dante seem almost merciful. He operated

t nau

asped my wrist, keeping me steady. His grip was unyi

that I wa

still

a differ

at him. "You knew. All this

musement dancing in his dark eyes.

n me. "I deserved

d. "And n

, my voice trembling. "And what if Dante hadn't

her he

aid, "Ricci would

struck me

rr

transaction. Not ju

uld have

at a shame. You would have ma

m, my anger boiling over. "

"I think you fail to g

my nails biting into my ski

voice a whisper against my

with rage. "You captured

ips dangerously near my ear.

respond, but the word

I had no

truth was

r. He had taken me, cla

ad been my cap

not even

more disturbing t

pised how his gaze seemed to lay me bare, as though

to my father, who stood silentl

," I whispered, my voice raw. "But I ca

time looking genuinely af

finish

e's subtle command. But before I cou

mething els

g the doorframe t

d hard. "Ri

me. I turned slowly

ted between

were stole

ed to ice

te's face, but his eyes darkened, a flick

red, adjusting his cuffs

t moment,

was still