Honestly? I was starting to think I had. I mean, how could I possibly propose marriage to

dangerously calm. "And what made

as he reached into his suit

wasn't

nervously, "seeing as my options are either help you or die horribly in

pping the fabric of my dress as

he was considering whether or not to pull t

l see it. He'll believe I'm safe now, under your protection, and that you're no longer hunting

ression unreadable. "You thin

r me from the shadows, even though I never really see him. so if he sees me marrying into your family, he'll thin

Alessino's lips. "Then let's give him

t in my request but I wasn't stupid-I treaded carefully before a

k faded.

to know why my father is being hunted. And second... if w

or a moment, then fin

is face. "I wasn't there," he admitted, voice devoid of emotion.

stretch, his eyes

off its hinges." His jaw clenched, his breath steady but forced. "The house reeked of gunpowder. Blood smeared the floors. And my parents, lying dead on the floo

afraid to move, too a

er was the only one missing." His voice was razor-sharp. "The man my father trusted more than

aking over his expression. "I thought

ely clinging to life. I found him in the study, drowning in his own blood. He was badly injured. I wa

ying man on his skin. "He coughed up blood, tried to speak... and w

o betra

, my hands trembling in my lap

d ask him why." He leaned back, eyes unblinking. "But I didn't need an explanation. My parent

ome a man overnight. At sixteen, I wasn't mourning-I was rebuilding. I wil

there, frozen, my mind trying

ned to find my father. No w

dn't believe him fully-not until I

er all. While Alessin

my heart ac

my best to help you catch my dad." My

t respond. He

p artist and designer will be here soon to get your

him. "What?!

as he left, his footste

closed door, my

ally marrying

mean I had to pl