Bounded by vows, burned by lies

nsion – Midnig

a tangible shift in the already volatile atmosphere

her hip tightened, his fingers pressing into the delicate curve of her bone, a silent warning. The air

you possess the means, moglie?" The possessive endearment d

De Luca. You'll be surprised by my resources." The

power. He moved to the darkened window, his silhouette a stark outline against the city lights.

herself up to sit, the silk of her nightgown a cool caress against her heated

ade her breath catch. "And what, precisely, compromises me, Sera

l. The whispers follow you. The fear in men's eyes when you enter a room. I intend to learn your we

attractive curve. "You mistake hatred for power,

retorted, pushing back the

th unspoken tension. "But be warned, moglie. Those who try to br

The Seeds

ths ear

glass swirling with deceptive calm. There she was, the captivating "Sera," slipping into his exclusi

of security, extracting subtle information with a practiced ease that belied her assumed naiveté. And then, the dance. The way she'd moved in his arms, a perfect

l, cleared his throat beside him. "She fits the profile, Capo. Don Moretti's only daug

, now tainted with the bitter taste of betrayal. He'd almost allowed himself to be

ife. The forged invitation, the carefully crafted persona, the subtle inquiries a

the realization of her deception... that was something he wouldn't, couldn't, forget. The game had changed the moment he recognized the pawn his enemy

he De Luca Mans

, controlled fury. "You knew," she whispered, the realization a sickening

ark backdrop to his menacing figure. "Did you honestly believe I would bed a stranger without knowing every detail of her existence,

memory of their intimacy, once a secret source of both shame and a s

jawline. Not a caress, but a possessive claim. "Your pathetic father thought he could use his daughter's p

ate attempt to break his hold. "And what do you believe now, Raf

ess. "I believe you are out of your depth, moglie. A viper your father

el glanced at the screen of his phone, his expression hardening further. He released her abruptly

of her inherent defiance refusing to be exting

h light of the hallway. Without turning, he delivered a chilling

d him, leaving Seraphina alone in

– The

of darkened hallways and silent security cameras, felt both luxurious and menacing. But she had a keen mind, honed by years of obser

e safe room. A place where secrets were kept,

ather had used with infuriating regularity, a sentimental weakness in a man who oth

ss d

over her. He was tho

or somethi

te wall of the hallway, a silent predator emerging from the shadows. He was fully dressed in a charcoal suit,

atly, surprised by the lack

dian eyes fixed on her. "D

uestion hung in the air, heavy with t

ep closer, the faint scent of gunpowder clinging to his clot

any flicker of fear. "It would prove you

r down her spine, a smile that promised pain and retributi

downstairs, followed by the sharp, u

nt replaced by a cold, lethal focus. He grabbed her arm,

't.

ing Seraphina into darkness. The c

ody Rev

ce beyond the thick door was punctuated by muffled shou

tate. Her fingers, nimble and trained in skills far beyond etiquette

d staircase, limbs askew, the air thick with the coppery scent of blood. They w

is pistol still smoking in his hand

ut," he growled, his

ed beside the nearest corpse, her breath catching in her throat. A

stark black mark against the pale skin

mily's

ng her arm. "Happy now, Seraphina? Your be

ing to process the horrifying reality. "

ers with suspicion and distrust. "I think y

time. A searing pain ripped through Seraphina's left

limb, her eyes wide with shock and

just tried t

ried to ki