STUCK BETWEEN MAFIA KINGS

nly the ache of regret and restlessness. She sat at the edge of her bed, still in her robe, cradling a

e sat folded

ret what w

but because she knew better. Sleeping with Dan

ad only added to the chaos, and the message on the mirro

zed, and her

E MA

e screen, her fi

ered letting it ring. Ignoring hi

like to be ignored. And pretendi

d. "What do

e. "We need to t

xhaled slow

downs

"Of cours

er reflection in the mirror startled her-dark circles

Let him see her raw. Let hi

how much dama

ssed in a sleek black suit, his presence filled the room like smoke-thick, su

ke hell," he

you know h

the window like he always used to, back when th

e said, turning to face her. "But

apped. "You lost the right to dicta

"I didn't come he

"Because of the boutique? Or because

r rage. She couldn't tell. Dante was always good a

of my world. Don't crawl back into

caught in her throa

art racing. "Is that wha

oldly. "This is about you making c

ut you thinking I still

Then stop playing with fire. Raf

. "Funny, that's exactly what

d between them,

pped low. "I gave

I lost myself trying to be your perfect woman. But I'm done

around her penthouse. "Getting invo

It just happened. I was vulnerable,

than she meant them to be. But sh

ed into fists. "So

lizing I don't have to exp

still affected her. The way his presence pressed against

et you go," he final

n her throat. "But you did. An

toward the door. He paused, his hand on

u'll learn. All kings play the same g

r slamming shut behin

-

na bare

dn't want to admit it, but something about his warning unsettled her. Not because she

hone, trying to distract herself. But as she

nes hit li

ce with New Muse-Former Model

King Moves On With Fa

ina Russo's Protég

eath c

fi

ll p

cried in her office over a rejected runwa

e's arm like she'd

ging to Dante like he was her prize. Dante, looking s

art sh

use she

s hurt more tha

with someone who knew

rayal d

ng against the wall only mildly satisfying. Tears blurred h

reathing heavily, heart

wasn'

barel

ens it, a package waits on the floor. N

red dress. Her e

ard tha

ight. I'll be