tina'

chair scraping against the stone floor. My hand seized Ma

mbled, her eyes searching mine. Fear flicker

I pulled her into th

craftsmanship and copper artistry. Now, it was a whisper of its f

f Iraq, metal against metal, families bargaining,

were onl

The sharp scent

lly against a dish. My pulse synced

offered. People like the Ricchezzas. People lik

ere I was, dragging my best friend through their

close. I co

been a sickness-possessive, unhing

her, like she wasn't

d he f

he have someone watching he

oved on. But mo

r ghost swirling in Baghdad's ha

need bait. Men like Tariq cha

rumors slip into the ri

did, I'd

rces. His wealth. His damn blood on m

his charm and cruelt

No mistakes. As Maria

asped, breathless. "

was pale, her

keep this

oked her dead

You were right. He'

ce wen

ew to her wrist, rubbing at phantom bruises long fad

he whispered. "I thought I'd

l she was a shell. Maria had clawed her way back from the edge, but no

"You're safe," I murmured, lips against her h

. Safety was an illus

en-I s

was cal

atory ease, his tailored suit absurd

ming sociopath, a man w

roze be

rd, placing mys

playing a game he'd already won. "Valentina. A

anting my feet. "And you'

don't understand. I love her. I'd do anything f

rly. "Yeah, tha

"Scaring her? Me?

Leave Maria alone," I said

ike you, whispering doubts in her ear." He leaned

You know that. She needs so

one to protect

ed. "And you th

t's anyone

never meant to hurt you. That was never my intention. I was trying to protect you, from you

tightening. She couldn't speak, pi

nother st

sion of love is fear and cont

yours to

a with that disgu

voice last time. I was angry. You know how much I hate

rollably, memories c

-eng

prowled into

dark tactical gear poured out, weapo

oo long on Maria. His tongue fli

wisted i

d. "I don't like bein

you come willingly, of course,"

d my arm lik

hissed. "You hi

said smoothly. "Come willi

g into my arm. H

engine. A r

f silver

the narrow road, headlights slicin

o a scree

e wings behind him. More cars followed

they were trained, b

gaze found

re shaking behind me and

t, positioning themselves be

fell into e

wn on bo

hick as a thunderstorm since