ke drifting in her nose and lungs. She felt frustrated because the chaos earlier was still ringi

ht lights, the hospital's sterile odour, and a rigid sheet covering he

voice sounded

on a chair beside her bed. He never smiled, but hi

up," h

sten her dry throat.

ter the blast. We

voice cracke

espond. His mouth clench

o," sh

ced himself to save her. She hated being powerless. If only she had listened to hi

of Luca, she was alive and in a hospital bed right now. "What

" Luca remaine

r during the battle. Ordinarily, if someone else had witnessed his transformation, the fe

from getting hurt. Luca's father, Romano, needed a smooth transaction for his forthcoming deal, and the Stones alo

lyn finally shi

ight, both families lost their loved ones. There is a breach of trust. There has been

nd

So we can proce

p the pain in her chest from gettin

e door. We need to carry out

tongue and blood dripped out of her lips, and her knuckles had nearly turned white from clutching the sheets. A beast in human form was saving her. And to m

whatever deal had caused t

was being moved. She figured someone had instructed it. Luca maybe. Getting to the new room, she discovered she wasn't in a real hospital. She was in one of the Romano'

from behind her, ca

iration, his jaw and chest still had blood stains from the battle. His gre

." she retreat

no time

questioned with a

to finish the question." Evelyn's back struck the w

to see you here aga

e of me because you've just b

he choked. "M

knows too. There's a price to pay for your father to stay alive a

ver by you? Did

anization of the underworld."

re having fun, aren't you?

aved

wall next to her head. He enclosed her, his brea

word shattered thr

" she e

truck a blood deal with the Roman line. He dies if he bre

crazy."

ast for far too long. The Nor

ay of

s you. And I am the only one with the stre

e would not let them spill. "You t

But a responsible

f this union? Am I being tied to you fore

From now on, we fight each other's battles, and that's why Petrov won't go Scott free for doubl

fe had been planned, and she didn't even have a say. She was now cornered by a m

refuse?" S

r chin. Then I'll bring you a box containing your fat

e stole her

hallway. Luca glances in that direction. H

in the morning." Then, like smok

amazingly still in her pocket, buzzed before she could collect

ry him. He