Gilded Lies

the villa

ed like ghosts between rows of guests dressed in couture and concealed ambition. It

de sur

low. Diamonds sparkled at her throat, on loan from Alessandro'

ss of a predator. His tailored suit did nothing to softe

?" Emilia whispered as she

ettled low on her back as he led her fo

ses," she

-

es. Politicians, businessmen, rivals disguised as friends. E

scar running down his cheek

," he said. "And t

"Oh, I don't survive,

. Then the man laughe

ar. "That's Dario Mancini. He once

without blinking. "So we'

catchi

-

Alessandro led her onto the balcony overlooking the gardens.

l," he said, lighting

m since I was sixteen. Only the

ok at her. "And

"You're a different

pa

id of me?" he

cigar from his lips and draggin

id. "I'm afr

buzzed in his pocket. He checke

it?" Emil

ned and strode back into t

air returned, s

out into the darkness beyond the hedges-where

ited

't just begin

lready b