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

d spun s

mpled under the weight of exhaustion and terror. She barely heard the scuff

ding-broke through th

ing. Bring h

d her from the cold ground. The al

gave wa

leamed with intricate moldings, painted in soft creams and golds. A crystal chandelier hung above her like frozen

omed across her side like

ress that cradled her lik

re

ing familiar. Not the hospital. Not the street. Definitely not her tiny apartmen

ri

its way up her throat. Her heart kicked agains

sn't d

ace pale, eyes red-rimmed and wide with something between grief and horror.

inding her. Too soft. Too unfamiliar. Too safe

ine to have witnessed th

mind had

shb

eeks glowing with wine and celebration. "Nex

face flushed, slapping

aked open. The j

sh

e

sil

s began to shake. She folded into herself, knees drawn to her chest. She couldn't stop the images. Couldn't stop hearing t

r nothing. She hadn't

had

t wha

tst

Purpo

head jerked t

e marble floor. A figure entered, tall and poised like he

f the bed. Said nothing

ow, rich, and laced with so

finall

flin

led through her-fear,

t answer.

eep in her gut, buried beneath t

he could make out a sharp jawline, dark eyes, a tailored black suit that whispered

hurt you,

li

truth with

like a shield. Her mind scrambled for clarity. Why was she here? Who w

her thoughts. "You collapsed near my estate

ut raw. "Maybe I

It was the closest thing

nodded-once. As if he understood that kind of grief. T

been tended. You're

r

t there w

t she was

re

earably heavy. She hated that she was in clean clothes-black leggings and a soft tunic

mories came in jagged bursts. That her world had turne

asked, her voice ju

dow, pulled the curtains open just a crack. Morning light spille

near his lip. Cold eyes

cr

kind,

ng in b

l together. She remembered the SUV. The he

wa

y she'd just traded on

, Marissa l

emo

gh

couldn't fall apart now. Not in front of this stra

owing even as the words left he

window. "You will

er explanation. No questions. Just a

sat

idn't

t

r, at the chandelier, at her r

ed the only nam

ris