d behind her li

ssed her into the room. Dust rose in a choking cloud. The stench of rust, mildew

g slammed against the alley wall. But none of it

xo

ees. Eyes red-either from crying or whatever he'd snorted that mornin

ood onto the

from

m r

im-her brother.

u sol

Cold.

flin

, sil

vision swam-not from the fists, not from

, louder. "Like I was a pair

ans

tep toward h

hing. Say an

ifted. Emp

choice,"

out a bit

ys a choice. An

oked

wa

e going to do to me?" she

barely carried. "I though

fr

Her voice droppe

didn't

denly-s

cted her to li

sn't be

a sac

sts cl

ragged-fighting

't save you

ourself a little m

steps echoed. He

idn't

dy knew w

had come t

d door gr

oncrete-slow,

the room like he owned it

ver his head. His black gloves were tucked into his back p

glance at

look at

locked

nking. Sharp

t without

lowed. Her spin

him

te said, voice cold s

s moved i

her feet. One grabbed her

ot yet. But she di

sweeping down her body and back

ess

ed. "You're... not

t expect to be sold like livestoc

-low, amuse

sweetheart," he said.

urned to gla

Dante said calmly. "Instead

thing. Just s

ked her

into your mansion and play wife because my ju

didn't

r. Not even w

amuse

murmured. "I don't thi

you'll b

ut a rolled parchment-thick, elegant,

er the battered t

in flowing

ONT

blank sig

side him. Inside-an ivory quil

t

oo

stomach

afia boss or a

didn't

epending o

e quill in the bloo

ld it ou

our

sta

he b

er n

vil holdi

d, bitter. "A drop of bloo

ted hi

said softly. "Ju

. Her eyes burned-

if I

appens

er, voice barel

said, "you

ds didn

idn't

idn't

st

fi

t flinch. D

ted the cuff

told the guards, voice clipped

y m

r thi

ped around

med. Foug

ursed. So

dragged h

ands off me!"

idn't

ted-engine purrin

hoved

oor s

, the other si

seat beside her, s

't look

t nee

filled the ca

at him, he

she hated-cold, po

ehind them. Neon turned to

ahead-black iro

oretti estate crou

was the

ut the window

she'd left him

r br

betr

o

ates

rolled

e finall

cr

ki

cer

Vale wasn'

delivered to t