ELE MA

l Sa

men who'd kill for far less than her audacity. And then ma

but fragile. The way those full lips pressed into a hard line when she looked me in th

o Santoro's bloodline would

sion she left behind. I glance around and find my men u

night, meeting'

ir usual arrogance replaced with silent obedience. I sink into the chair, exhausted

my head and spot Dante leaning against

py sometimes, you k

glasses. "Creepy? Me? Fratellone, I could say the same about you.

long, satisfying gulp, relishing the bu

ook. "You tell me, Don. That was quite unlike you, I expected a bullet to be lodged up between her eyes the

uite the looker. I mean she's got that amazing body, and that face? Damn. I didn't kno

tend. "Careful fratellino. Hazel Santoro is here because she offered herself as p

ellone. I'm just trying to be your voice of reason. Don't forget what her father did. He st

There's nothing to worry about. I'll decide her fate. And I'l

ess, her history, the people she's close to. Hell, down to the details of her fav

jacket, and pushes to his feet. "Your wish is my com

nod before disappearing out the doo

l Sa

in my life, yet her face stays sharp in my memory. The slight tremor in her voice when she stood

out, even as she stood in the lion's den. Most people in her shoes would've dropped to their knees and begge

ne intri

Alfonso Santoro had been one of the few men who'd dared to betray me. He'd smiled in my face, shaking

l. Desperation or not, there's someth

prawls before me, the security lights throwing long shadows across the

g, Hazel Santoro?"

coincidences

e way she spoke my name like a curse. She'd been trembling, but her voice had

icipation. It's been a long time since I've felt anything but cold, ruthless p

makes her

sn't scare me.

er the picture of efficiency. "The guest wing on the east side is being pr

n. "She'll arrive tomorrow on her own. I want

eo hesitates. "A

der, smirking. "She'll

desk, leaning my hands on the polished surface as I

el Santoro knows it or not, she's crossed a line she can't

every moment of watchin

hought as I shut off the

ow long tha