ad turned a dull, colorless white, like even t

t to be found vulnerable again-blanket-wrapped in a corner like some fragile thing.

a belt, black, and tied her hair into a neater knot. Not because she

ocking. She stepped aside silently, letting Emily pass.

the dining r

wasn't

erent man waite

e. His hair was slicked back, and his hands were

ooke

sm

he said smooth

nning the room. N

the doorway. Her express

u?" Emily a

ed. "Or an enemy. Th

r. Alessandro Moretti. He came at

y fr

re

l to Marco. Wealthy. Dangerous. Elega

ss," Bianca said curtly. "You

expression calm. "He's a

ross from

t she didn't move. S

poached egg, and grapefruit slices. Alessan

ed in s

eone smaller. M

p of tea. "You

m beginni

r to know, he would have told her. If Moretti want

g," he said. "Are

, slow look. "Do yo

laugh. Quiet

u're the most interesting

elt the woman's stare like a nee

Bianca said sharply. "She ha

ne has a say. It's just a matte

slightly forward. She

want from m

ed his head. "I

is cufflinks. His ey

to give..." He reached into his jacket and placed a slim, b

nything from yo

again. "

l

ke the card, but E

d it into

se she tr

she didn't t

-

without warning. Emily was in the s

he door b

et Mor

. "You inv

ect you to sp

't say I

pa

k. Picked up the pen

you som

rugged.

gaze was colder today.

," Marco said.

'm a

Now you're

ed the

losely now. And you won't l

ce steady. "Are you protect

he edge of something darker

the diff

-

t, Emily

e. Not the co

eiling, card tucked

from a

e from he

she could no

way to survive

betray h