ence, but the atmosphere felt charged with unexpressed thoughts. My f

i kn

s meant to be his. He

session. I had become a coveted trophy, somethin

uettes, but I couldn't focus on any of it; my thoughts were still trapped in that house, replaying m

of course

a conflict he had begun long befor

with suspicion. "How long have yo

y placid expression, sipped his whis

. "And you didn't t

d. "Would it have

ge igniting within me

his intense gaze locking o

me uninformed was for my own benefit. But I understood the truth Dante didn't

ment, he held

he darkness. As soon as the driver opened my door, I stepped out, needing to put some space bet

teps toward the entrance wh

ast, litt

my hear

his scent a blend of whiskey and something darke

uestions for yo

y chin defiantly. "I d

low, knowing. "

remind me of who was in charge. He guided me inside, through the grand foyer an

st

d with books and fine liquor, it exuded powe

, the click of the lock se

, his gaze

it

arms. "I'd pr

ng him out, before pouring himse

ixated on me. After a pause, he asked, "Te

u were right there. Y

mirked.

ed a tightenin

What are you

y increasing. "You spoke to him al

ed hard.

ened. "So wha

peared more anxious than usual not just about Ricci knowing abou

enly, it

shared e

e change in my demeanor. "There it is," h

. "I don't know

returning. "You're a ter

rward, backing me against the desk un

me smaller, t

ered softly. "Fine, but unders

ist-just a touch, but it was e

ou can't int

hispered, his lips nearly touching m

trayed me, responding to his proximity in ways I

myself more for

slowly, deliberately. "Tell me," he u

to keep my

I

sh, a loud knock sh

frustration barely mas

tered with an unreadable exp

clenched.

to me before returning

omach

stiffened. "W

ned dark. "He s

rned, but now it w

sement glinting dang

ured. "Let's see wha

*

arrived in

, lacking any markings or threats. Yet Dante's men han

thered in his study: me, Luca, and a han

as a sin

otog

as I moved close

e of me, only i

with my father. Before I had been given

st the photo tha

he note

ways meant

m fell

low, menacing sound. "

the note, chest tightening w

't just ta

watching m

y thoughts. "Looks like Ricc

able to whisper, "

e." He brushed his fingers over the

ar has only

*

. The photograph of my younger self was in Dante's hands,

ways meant

prickled with the realization that this was

ing me long before D

ght made me f

voice trembled. "How

g he might tear it. He tossed it onto the desk, his fa

e doorway, stepped forwa

wed hard

oss the desk toward Dante. I noticed his hands tr

ing it in silence. His smirk

ded it

rembling slightly as I unfolded the paper, dread

me. Just like

ad washe

neath my feet, and I

mot

racing for a rational exp

ng before I understood what men like Ricci and Dante could do. My father had spoken li

t.

ggested somethi

had never

ly, his expression unre

y head up.

connection to

tricting. "No. It can't be true

sick? Did she really d

picion slither

he had be

he rubbed his face. "This

fingers against the wood, deep in thought. "It m

coursed t

our mother belonged to Ricci, then yo

tightening. "He was

xygen had been rip

gambled with money he

th

step back, my

barely audible, "that my father took my

l, but his silence

t nau

uca. "Get my

smallest of nods. Then he hurried out, leaving m

elf, I said, "Tell me everything y

ow, I assumed Ricci's only issue with your father was mon

g. "And you think my fathe

nt. "I think your father has been lyi

spond further, th

into a chair across from me. He looked paler than

you everything

ietly but firml

ffened

note onto the tabl

e turne

voice trembling. "You told me

lurted out, per

icci claim she b

nveloped

his hands into fist

oment, I

urking all along ben

silence. "Did you

aw tightened,

closer, whispering

harshly,

oom t

e of the desk, my

king his head. "Well, well. Seem

er blooming as I stare

ed to flee from Ricci, to escape that life. I took her away, we

d slightly. "And n

tempted to escape, and my father had stolen her from a monster. Now

n't planning

xpression grave. "Now you

n dawning. "Because Ricci wa

e knows I have you, he's

, attempting to a

mother from Ricci, and after her death if she had indeed died he kept me hid

aken me before

ermined to reclaim wh

were aware this would happen. You knew that one day Ricci wo

to spill, yet I

r remain

shadow beside me. "Looks like

cked eyes with him.

. "I don't need to stop him." His gaze then flicked

t his possessive tone, yet deep

rotecting me o

arding what b

ther I wante

t of a conflict b