len

ldn't

open on the table in front of me. Nam

n in ink. Not as the

e stood across the room, motionless

lder than I'd ever heard it before. "This wasn't

like they were stuck in my throat, but I

y said, my voice shaking. "I wasn't meant to be an

I could see the slight tightening in his jaw. H

tina," he growled. "I do what I must to

nger rising inside me. "And what if I don't want to

e, his presence overwhelming. "T

tter than the man who tried to

se too. Fear, maybe? I couldn't tell. He was hiding his

this marriage, manipulated like I had been. Only she

es weren't fi

omething darker than

pe this cage, but Alessandro grabbed my wr

hink you're goin

eplied, struggling to pull

e said, his voice more

king a step back. "I don't want to b

eyes, but it disappeared quickly

mosphere in the room was colder than

tly, his voice softening just enough to

hest. "You don't need me. You need contro

is jaw ticked.

why am I standing here, in this house, trapped wit

the cold returned. "Because you're the one who

ick with tension. But before I co

ren

ro. The air seemed to shift as he looked at me, his expression unre

e?" Lorenzo's voice w

yes flashing with irritation. "

anything to do with Serafina?" he asked, his to

me, then back to Lorenzo. "T

forward. "It is my busin

t skippe

omething more than mere interest.

something I hadn't experienced wi

. "She's mine," he said, hi

g in the air l

"Do you want to leave, Valentina?" he asked, his

hit me harder

know wha

palpable. Both men were dangerous, but it was th

ne to the other,

No matter which way I turne

torm r