or. Dark circles shadowed her eyes from the sleepless night after the attack. T

her door interru

ed, expecting Ros

s tall frame filling the space. "We lea

her shoulders. "As re

box on her bed. "You shou

stunning red dress with a matching jacket. Powerf

s where Dante waited. His eyes widened

ne they should fear," he

k in time. Each familiar street brought memories crashing

e car door. "We've cleared the peri

ered-white columns, perfect gardens, windows that gle

ey approached the front door, "whate

ock. A maid Alessia didn't recognize

ssia?" sh

Alessia said, voice stead

atherings had taken place. The room where, three years ago, p

ck hair now streaked with gray. H

hispered, like

hand flying to her mouth. "What is she

Alessia said coolly. "I'

ide her, a dangerous sha

," her father finally

bitterly. "After prison, n

ously to Dante. "And you brin

sia replied. "The only person wh

u've done," her mother said,

soon," a new

rway, perfect as always in her designer clothes. Luc

id, venom dripping from every word. "The cr

rward, and Luca

" Dante said, his voice deadly s

. "Why are you here, Alessia? H

u framed me. You stole three years of my life.

eir parents. "They sti

ecording. Luca's voice filled the room: "Isabella said it would just

ined from Isa

at her eldest daughter in horror. "

sia said coldly. "You all abandoned

see us," her father said hoarsely. "Tha

floor was tilting be

acked slightly. "They were

of what?" Ma

d control of Rossi Industries for his operatio

a's back, steadying her a

to a criminal?" Marc

. Unlike you, always grooming precious Alessia

idnap me last night," Alessia realized.

ent ashen. "Kidnap?

in. "One of his men

eyes. Her mother sobbing. Her father stunned in

snarled. "You're still a convicte

pocket. "Every transaction between Rossi Industries and Vincent

r. In one smooth movement, he had Luca pressed

't," Dant

looked very old. "I came to warn you. Cut ties

dence going?" her

tor," Dante answered

ered in her eyes. "And what do you

ice," Alessi

ella, is what they're saying tr

ilence was a

her, voice breaking.

Isabell

" he

toward the door. "This isn't over," she

his youngest daughter. "Alessia, I

anymore," Alessia replied. "Thre

ard, reaching for her h

ena promised through tears.

id. "Justice is coming

n, Alessia felt hollow. The family

d her eyes, she saw prison walls closing in. Cold metal a

ght in her throat. Sweat soaked he

d Dante rushed in, gun

a managed, embarras

itating at the foot of her bed.

tears betrayed her. "I'm bac

ep distance between them. "The nigh

p?" she asked, sens

dmitted. "But they c

hout thinking, she reached for his hand. His fingers

he couldn't believe what was happening

on costing her pride. "Not of Isabella or th

te said, his voice rough w

l crumbling, a bridge forming. His thumb traced sma

Why help me when I bri

the first person I've met who understands what i

lessia confessed. "

countered. "Prison breaks most people.

e in the darkness. For the first time

" Dante said,

ispered. "Just unt

he chair beside her bed, t

the shadows outside her window. Didn't see him take a photo o

d his weakness. The Viper ha

ed in the darkness. "To