The Forced Bride

oses always meant danger

ing in her ears. The chandeliers below threw fractured light across the grand hall-glittering against crystal de

e ent

air R

h the quiet confidence of a predator. His black suit fit like sin itself, and his eyes-t

's breath

an. That under the full moon, he became something else-something ancient and uncontrollable. The Rossi clan ruled Italy

mily had c

threaded with a cold amusement that made

as he gestured toward the long table.

mach knotted as Alistair's jaw tightened, a hint of so

ietly. "And you sold weapons to my e

is knees. "It was a

he young man bound and bleeding beside his guards,

he could stop herself. "Please," she w

om wen

rate, like a wolf scenting a challenge. The silver i

you to beg

she managed.

expression-interest, curiosity, maybe even hunger. Then

or yours," he said sof

t stoppe

l marr

y filled the room. "No! A

es me." He stepped closer to Valentina, the air thickening with his scent-cedar, smoke, and

lse roared. "Y

enough that his breath brushed her e

efusing to look awa

e. "Then I'll let your

at followed wa

len eyes, shaking his head weakly. Valentina's throat b

's gaze head-on. "Fine," she said, her voice steady

tisfied glimmered in

ted into motion-guards, cars, shadows moving like ghosts. Val

s firm but not cruel. The heat of his sk

et this," sh

d, almost a smirk

bled in the distance, and somewhere beyond th

te was