Dark love

e courier to her penthouse. The science was definitive, clinical, cold-Ma

rosary and a bottle of French perfume she never wore. One was for faith. The other for appearances. T

Matteo reque

o lawyers. Just

at curious-a

s of glass and steel perched high above the city. Everything about the space screame

y ways, of the m

ed in sleek black-her armor. Her heels

oor-to-ceiling windows that framed the skyline l

ual,"

like wast

her d

straight, eye

e. Thick, cream-colored paper. Custo

ct," he s

t touch it.

na. Whether we intended this o

s," she said sharply. "I've live

ef crack in the marble. Curiosity? Annoya

onal," he said.

of a motto fo

t reputation. Discretion. Legacy. So do I. A quiet

actly are yo

y formal. No affection. No entanglements

gh. "You want to marry

my child-and its mo

g in her ears. "You don't want

on't care what happens to you. I do. But I won't allow

r wanted to slap the contract off the table. Another part-quie

Matteo," she said, voice quiet bu

's a strong cage. Wit

as a lo

reached for the folder and opened it.

. "But if you think I'm going to be your

ched-half a smile,

ct obedience fr

ot trusting the heat t

ng back, "don't mistake paperwork for power. I mig

icked shut

fter her, expre

e was playing a game where he

ver wanted