Gilded Lies

e estate in a strange, bruised light. Rain hadn't come yet-but

woke

re cold, unslept in. Ale

ded to the window. Black SUVs were parked n

ang

ted not kn

-

sharp, clipped with something colder than

rong somehow. Their clothes fit too perfec

features, an air of Vatican-b

e," he said. "The girl

ont of her, protective.

f this now," the man

nk. "I prefer str

t was enough to tell her she'd been no

Alessandro. "You know

ssandro said, his voice like

on was su

ne m

, the man placed a ha

nt

ge

make poor shiel

ia f

-just for a momen

a

n instant, wrenched behind his back,

s voice was

's m

ts, but Alessandro's guards were al

s a m

ne d

. No apologi

sil

-

o in the weapons room-loading

eckless,"

ok at her. "

d me I'd

her now. "I told you I'd protec

thudded in

closer, gun

murmured. "They'll tr

ey succeed?" she asked, h

but it wa

urn the w