The empire of Darkness

l

ound. He grits his teeth when I touch the skin, but doesn't move. Slowly, methodically, I probe the wound.

till back o

ospital to be finish

y lips. He won't m

scles contracting under my hand. He breathes slowly, deeply, controlling the pain. I pull.

to the metal tray

s at me not to linger on his skin burning under my

be fine," I said,

kn

He can't even concei

the thread I'm pulling through her skin. His gaze i

?" I fin

u're the onl

beat. This is a lie. I know it's a lie

t here

lnerable. I

't for me. Maybe

el Mo

bbing that hammers my skin with every movem

s th

l

tals. Except that here, there are no assistants, no monitors, no protocol. Just her and me, in the subdu

pursed. She does her best to ignore me, to stay focused on her role as u

irst time you've

ulated smile, just en

ny balls

still

th a little more force tha

hasn't yet decided what it w

ded what you wa

e stops. Her

u up and k

huc

dor

jaw, the way her fingers twitch for a split second before regaining their

s the heiress to an empire, the daughter of Don Ricci, a strategic pawn in a game of power she re

all o

puts away her instruments and steps aside, as if she

or a few days. Avo

but don

sses he

Wh

sed you

ky, but I don't miss the sli

of my hous

there, but bearable. I retrieve my torn shirt and s

kill you?" sh

you didn't

o know if it's l

sm

a. Since the day you decided no

ngers tighten on th

et

ot mo

's looking fo

yes d

n hand

ou're running away.

moment, I think she's going to explode. But she doesn't. She

he doesn't back away, but I can feel her tension, her

a choice to

s, a bitt

what would that

p run

ns a hand through her h

k into the lion's

s an

I'd make her this proposal. Not just because she's talented, not just

for a long time.

ed in a cage, Moretti. I

o the shadows of her apartment, leaving m