that in front of everyone," I hissed, fo
ind us. Alessandro stood at the stone railing, back straight, staring out at the dark gardens like I was
nd. "This isn't the
ed past me earlier. "You think you can just show up after all these years, nod at my
cold and unreadable. Up close like this, he towered over m
he said flatly. "Some
ro. You disappeared. No call. No letter. Nothing. I waited for you. I c
s is business. The alliance protects both
ot business. I'm a person. I fight. I breathe. And I sure as hell
ong and warm. Heat shot up my arm. For a
uilt an empire on blood and silence. Love is a weakn
but didn't step back. "Then why agree
e leaned in, breath brushing my ear. That damn scent filled my lungs
ning in my chest. "Leave m
wall beside the balcony doors. He caged me in, hands planted on eith
hell now,
otter I didn't want to name. I could feel the hard muscle of his ches
I whispered, but my vo
ross his lips. "Good. Y
e like this again and I'll make you regret it.
then lower to the neckline of my red dress
chin, tilting my face up to his. His thumb pressed against
ng for something. "Still got that M
ping back like touching me disgusted him.
ide me. Keep your fire hidden. Or I'll make
een, skin still tingling. Rage and unwant
insult, he turned and walked
eathing hard, watching his
asn't
a lon
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