THE DEVIL'S ROSE "CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA LORD:

air tasted

ungs burning from the sprint. The city buzzed faintly around her-honking horns, a distant s

ed. And her heart pounded so loud

eyes flicking to the shadows stretching along t

. God, I saw

t dripped fr

oo

he

iss

er palm over her mouth as the memor

– 40 Minut

ICE on his ass," Marissa joked, lounging barefoot on their faded sofa, her cur

r acceptance letter in her lap. "You're s

ebt in his eyes, and he checks

of the best hospitals in the city. It was everything she'd worked for.

heerleader, had ins

ving the world, one hot ER d

rolling her e

e door

ck. Barely

ned. "Did yo

oment shat

ack. No mask. Just a face carved in stone and ink w

confused-proc

ood up. "E

sh

o

os

na

s Marissa's chest. Her eyes wid

fe

knees. Hands pressing against the wound.

without sound. Her body

dn't run.

ter admiri

g the barrel of the gun with a cloth pulled

rned

haking, breathles

pau

lked to

. Calm. Clea

o the

r puddle near her feet. Her fingers clawed at her scalp, her body shuddering

e "talked

say something to someone? Did s

danger into their h

. Fought him. Something.

she wa

seek shelter. Elena didn't have that luxury. Her only shelter was the fo

he leave

tted he

was meant

ey could be tracked or traced. He wanted her to run. He

es, trying to rem

iled up his neck. Pa

rushed. Not careful. L

ne would

n they come? Marissa's vo

n't call anyone

ed, her foot bleeding from broken glass, but she lim

en-hea

the lane, tinted windows catching the ref

fr

UV pa

ers

art st

fou