The Forbidden Love in the Underworld

ered, turning to him. "This is it. No sterile hospital w

he did not falish. "You exp

es against her hands and the leather creaked. "I hope you realize

one of her men, arrived sprinting up the steps with a s

ed, though her finge

. We must act immediate

se before he spoke. Not even an enemy, his value

ly, "You're goi

tinct guiding him even while his eyes b

bloodbath down below. "Down in th

h agony, "Didn't think...I'd end up

ringe to ease the pain. You're losing blood.

ng alive has never bothered me. It'

moment before he started working

ocked with Rafael's something unspoken between them. "Let's j

. And then what

corner. "It means Sofia is n

e was more to Sofia than what she showed him, but hearing it from o

him by grabbing his jaw.

ith the agony. "If you promise to

forearms covered in blood, loo

ing?" Sofi

palm over his face. "Very

arted toward him. Good. We

ng about his gaze seemed unpleasant to S

but forceful, "You sho

't kill helpful men. And Antonio Fuent

Of all you have told me, how much of it is factual? He seems to believe ther

her glass. "Be careful with the

ant to know if this whole thing is going to colla

or, you have already decided. You are in my

lian leaned forward, his face austere. "We have a

slip of paper Julian held forth. As he peruse

her. Alternatively you w

y light as she drank her whiskey. Her lips almost touch

ightness from his temples. "I ju

r? You literally saved my life. You arrived here in that

s universe was unambiguous. One hand holding a scalpel, morals in the other underlined. But righ

ugh the stifling mix of smoke and alcohol. Te

your life? No." His voice tightened

d in her face. Defensive. But it dis

nard Milton came marching in. The elder man exuded quiet power, his gra

aid, then focused sharp

el aside. He hesitated, then left the

him to follow. "Wa

is allegiance to Sofia never called doubt. But tonight his attitude

it hall. "What's this regard

and then spoke. "In Sofia's in

ad chill

need to be careful," he said, leveling Rafael with an unflinching glance. You are

ulse hammered. "Who ar

to look for that. If I were you, though, I wou

is nose. And why

ou might be the only pers

ark hair's loose strands pulled at by n

face her. "Wha

g you are challe

sour laugh. "May

in her glass. Save it; if you cam

" His fingers tightened around the glass in his gr

tensed. "Di

e very closely. "He believ

did not seem astonished. If anyt

l me that," she said quietly

ng breath. Then, why

e could not quite understand. "Because in th

hat is not a response, Sofia

black and white? That the instant I learn someone wronged me, I cou

then doe

they believe they are smarter than me. Her voice was steady, yet it had a slight edge. But the minute

im more, the knowledge she knew she was surrounded by

Michael Richards seated close to the rear e

ot on hi

rom him, their quiet but

sed his gaz

was passing something, a folded scrap

lly tw

se more was at wor