tina

e Luca estate i

e size of a car dripping light across velvet floors. But inside? It's a labyrinth of shadow

the man I

Controlled. A walking sto

ord during the drive to his estate. Not a glance as

til

eiling shelves filled with ancient books, framed weapons, and pa

t offer me one. Sipped it like it

he com

did

meeting mine. A quiet f

take orders

I don't pretend to

laugh. "That mu

me here? Why go through with this s

es matter in this world, Valentina. To the families.

nd the desk, st

mpliant. Safe. You? You're a wildcard

h. "Funny. I was thinki

ped inch

't trus

re even,"

ate quarters. Guards posted. Don't try to leave. And don

y where there's b

ay out of my way. And maybe you'll survive long

"So you believe

dn't a

nce was confir

but cold. The bed was massive. The windows

dn't

essage still ech

. But not safe. Trust

teps I kept hearing outside my doo

slipped in

ack. Silent.

sweetly. "

ing, just nodde

d left inste

three doors

rth crea

e. Not Al

alls. Red strings. Na

Luca. Roman

ood ra

e was there. Cro

to i

e footsteps until

aid from behind me, "is

un ar

ren

ndro's

ned the night. Shirt half-unbuttoned. Tat

ike the devi

r ghosts, Mr

to find the ba

athroom doesn't have pictures of m

n't re

My past. My academic records. Medical files. Eve

ng you longer than yo

llowed

anoid. And you? You're a threat

"Do you know what

the fil

ou think I'd be

tretched b

ked at me. R

has a mask. And the ones who smile the most? T

alked

sure if Lorenzo was a

evening, a s

With Al

distractions. J

om, nerves prickling. Ca

t look up

you broke int

urse h

k a wro

you found

yes. "Why is

world, knowledge is ammunition. An

ig through

uried you

You must be f

ned. "Don't pus

aid I'll p

len

he s

coming,

at k

the first time, I saw a

ge. Not

ea

ere no one ge

rned a

staring at a tab

Married.

in a house

, I dreamed

was r

on he

hispering

who wants to save you.

as watching fr

a g

Lor

Aless

eone

could scream,

a single white rose

one... was so