Rising From Ashes: The Architect's Comeback

Vitie

ainst the night sky, a fortr

eway. The air was heavy with the scent

ough the serv

e Mrs. Moretti any

long sleeves, a high neck,

like mourn

, sticking to the shadows t

hem imm

and Va

g near the orches

anded attention. She was laughing, her h

ed... c

man who had eve

talking to the Don.

dn't kn

now the allia

near the choc

nearly tackling me in

ispered, pressing a small

had designed myself. The last thin

ed it an

... why do you look lik

use I

face

is just being an idi

y voice hollow. "And

arty began to swel

air," I

guest rooms on the secon

d, listening to the muffled

r creak

cted G

s Val

and turned the lock

asked, her v

too

ut, Va

running her hand alo

avy silver candelabra. "I always hate

"I never did a

at. "The perfect Vitiello princess

epped

verything. I have your

I said calmly. "He's a job.

es nar

you're bett

I'm free,

a harsh, br

You're just a f

shov

k, hitting the

uch me,"

d me agai

bed he

and swung t

lder with a du

ed her

her heels catc

ing her grip on

ed onto

olled onto the he

aught fire instantly. The flames licke

Valeria

led toward

bled with the latch, p

lled with a

, my eyes

help her wi

me, her eyes w

kward, toward the

re!" she

or open and sl

door slammed shut, and th

an