THE WRONG DE LUCA

ad song stuck on repeat: "Ask Damiano what happened in Prague." Why Prague? What happened there that Damiano wanted buried deep beneat

raling thoughts. A message from her best frie

couldn't show over text. "J

nger. The whiskey was harsh, but she liked the bite. It reminded

he felt alone, even though she was about to marry into one of the mo

of a man raised to command respect and fear in equal measure. Yet, b

her phone again. It was time. Time to find

aning staff and the distant buzz of the city waking up. Damiano was

der than the knock she was about to deliver. Then, summoni

ice-calm, controlled,

books, and a faint trace of smoke. Damiano looked up f

moothly. "To what do

"Damiano, I need to ask yo

ned, the warmth drai

ulian said something last night... tha

m grew

the folder. "You shouldn't

sisted, meeting his gaze. "I'm trying

-crossed his face before it was rep

he said softly. "And it's not

lready made her d

, with a sigh heavy enough to

or business. Let's just say... it didn't go as planned. There was bet

you tell me

no skeletons," Damiano said bitterly

st tightened.

ficially, he's dead. Unofficially..." He paused, ey

er feet. The man she thought she knew

ndering the mansion's labyrinthine halls. Th

peeked out to see Julian, leaning casually

nt," she said, c

e high," Julian replied

lly here?" she a

Julian said, stepping inside. "And because sometimes

her eyes. "Save

ack at her with an intensity

nto. From the lies that will suffo

er chest, equal parts terrifi

closer, lower

become part of a dynasty of blood an

upposed to be a ghost but was sudden

he wasn't sure which

f survival in th

show

room, her reflection blurred in the tall glass windows, Juli

ave a

idn't. No

red through every marble hallway in this house. Julian was supposed to be the enemy. The o

nly one who'd dared t

steps approached. She didn't need to turn ar

e-silent, dangerous, i

here," she said, n

you from opening t

ack like a villain from some tragic opera. The top buttons of his shirt undo

" she hissed, even as h

t t

lia

e strides. "You asked Damia

ve me enough to confirm you

ead. "Did he tell y

linked. "

d Julian's face

was Amara. She was meant to be a pawn. Just another girl caught betwe

rap around her spine.

t her over his shoulder. "Righ

ed. "You were in

, but the pause in h

e erased," he said quiet

hroat. "So what? You c

her fully, "because he's trying to do it

wouldn't-Damiano may be co

nk men like Damiano draw lines?

against the wall, Julian inches from her, his

uld've shoved him away.

is voice lower now, softer, as i

n shallow breaths. "I don

lips brushing the shell of he

pped. "What d

dden behind the painting of Saint Micha

his office?" Her voice ca

ruth," he said. "Because fear is what he

m of rage and something deeper. Somethin

't blin

s breath

he could answer. A distant voice-

slipping into the shadows like

t the main door. "Mr. De

ood ra

's men gave her a polite smile that didn

nod. "I'll be t

he pressed her back to it and

it wasn't the kind of da

nd that made

still rattling in her ribs. He sat beneath the olive trees,

" he said, with

ent fo

mpty seat beside him

careful.

o sharp. "I've been thinking abo

ld her

ar. He betrayed the family. He made a deal behind my back-with someone who wante

at him. "And wh

I had to. Fo

ou kil

answer r

"And now he wants revenge. He'll te

ed to be

in her gut scre

re mine. You belong in this family. D

even as her heart s

ent, she realized s

w which De Luc

s falling for