need to speak in grand gestures or make threats. His pre

t every se

ent to realize that Luca had not moved, had not even acknowledged the quiet infant in her arms. His gaze remained fixed on her, sharp

had been running from for days, weeks, months

?" Her voice trembled slightly, but she forced herself to s

child and back again. His fingers brushed the edge of the wooden table

y calm. "What's your story? How does a woman like you end up blee

us edge. And yet, there was something about the way he said it-something about the way his lips

et. She knew too well that people like Luca

her eyes drifting down to Nico, the only thing in the

her confession-bare and unguarded-fall into the air between them. It was dangerous to speak

w arching slightly as if the wo

sold me to someone. A man I didn't know. My father... my brother... they thought I was just another pawn to move on their board. They

ingers together as if this was all some sick g

es

ead his expression. She wasn't even sure if he was judging

still smooth but laced with something darker. "Do you think Magda can pr

supposed to love her, yet had driven her into the arms of a strang

he didn't care who I was." Isolde stood up, her fists clenched. "I won't let you

y," he said coldly. "I want something from you. You think you're the first woman to run from a life she doesn't

ach other?" she repeated incredulously.

mething I need. Or more precisely, someone." He nodded toward Nico, still sl

ened. "What

whose enemies I deal with on a regular basis. If he grows up in a world where people kno

boy in her arms. He was just a child. A helpless, innocent soul

red, the realization cutting thro

is survival." He paused, his gaze turning sharp. "But for that, I nee

her stomach. "And what do yo

a way out. Help me keep the boy alive. Protect him, and I'll protect yo

d she hadn't thought about what it would mean

i wasn't offering protection. He was making a de

" she said, her voi

n't a luxury I offer." He stood up, his eyes never leaving hers

into her life, and she felt the world shift under her feet. She knew, deep in her