linting under the low office light. It felt heavier now, like it had soaked up the weigh

ble calm, his dark eyes fixed on her like he was waiting for her soul to speak.

rew," Ava said finally,

just watched her. Not surpris

, but Nico h

Nico

ragged into whatever empire you're building. I didn't save you for p

used. "In this world, there's no such thi

," she said, stepping b

ttered, finally speaking.

tighter around the

hink walking away keeps you safe? That it makes you invisible again?" He leaned in. "You saw too m

how true

respond, the door to

stantly, guns drawn, barrels

ut flinch at the si

raised both hands slowly, a

ng the room before settling on Nico. "

-Virelli. Even before she met him, she'd heard whi

said he was

to his tailored coat, dark hair slightly tousled like he hadn't slept b

gh his jaw ticked. "If he wanted to start a

ove. "He shou

hough his smile said he wasn't afraid of a bullet. "If I w

guns lowered-reluctantly-bu

belonged, glancing at Ava briefly

" he said. "That hit on you

ou're saying someone mad

et without reason. Especially not on a back alley ambush like some st

is gaze, but Nico di

just dropped by to clea

rring the pot isn't just coming for you. Last night,

hink someone's trying to p

watch us tear each other apart," Rafe said. "And

moke. Two powerful men, rivals by legacy, now forced

something. "You expect us t

u don't have to like me, Enzo. Hell, you can hate me. But there's a storm co

co directly. "T

out, like he hadn't just stepped into a lion's den with

owed. Ava fi

his voice quieter no

dn't a

h was written al

he wanted... she