a deafening drum of her own heartbeat as she stood in the center of the bedroom. his bedroom, baref

man starved. Like she was both a punis

have felt

atever rage or need roiled behind those eyes. She had

ere was a strange, hollow

r that loomed over the fireplace mantle. Her reflection st

like she'd

like she'

thought. What is

cedarwood. Naked now, she climbed into the massive bed, wrapping herself tightly in the thick duvet, tryi

betrayed her. They s

idn't

the private courtyard, sleeves rolled up, cigaret

t smoked

had, his brothe

ugh he didn't need it anymore. The repetition soothed him

ssed m

men. Used them. Broken them. But Isabella De Rossi w

ill or words, but of restraint. Of desire that cl

eady for wha

t

he wo

nd turned back inside. His phone buzzed on the table. He gr

s a single enc

ct with De Rossi'

urved into

ught. Something

to the sound o

oom in slanted golden beams. For a moment, she thought she'd dreamed the entire night, until she mov

t of the bed and wrapped it aro

girl no older than twenty

ng it on the table. "Mr. Moretti sa

urse

Poached eggs, toast, fresh fruit. There was even a steam

sn't h

ed off, realizing she di

dipped her h

peated. "Is there a

, signora. Mr. Moret

ure he

needing any

Her passp

Thank

door clicking soft

a long bath, tried to read, and even considered thro

eard the sound

ano stepping out of a matte-black Maserati, flanked by two men in dark s

blood on h

eath caught i

ning toward the house. She let the curtain fall

her ten mi

nock. Di

always did, like he own

of his black dress shirts she'd stolen from the close

aling my thin

ing you take mine

er did when he was like this

noticed the cut above his eyebro

, voice light but her

h as it's ab

lose she could smell blood and s

ng you ou

ked. "Ex

Now. Something

hy

brushing her ear. "

t speak during

her lap, eyes locked on the passing city lights. Luciano sat besid

uched her si

silence

ntown. The valet didn't speak when he opened Isab

ffered he

dn't t

't seem

s popped. When they reached the top, a pair of metal doors opened into a private cl

Money.

ntroduce her. He

yes in the room

looked at her di

d her lower back. P

, it

ner where two men waited, one she re

her wa

arker. S

said. "This is I

d. Her? A pawn in

like he was apprais

es," he said

no ch

siness," he sa

was long. Bo

out routes and ports and something about shipments in

gs. Weapon

made her shiver with one lo

, Santos lean

ed of him, bella,

didn't

, he turned to her w

njoyed

ha

on you. Th

flirt," sh

aimed. And now you're here dressed like a fucking trophy

voice wasn't jus

s jea

don't get a choice," she

agging her into the hallway b

m. Hard. "Let

her agains

is mouth w

ed. His lips crashed into hers, and she moaned before she could

d," he growled a

oo

is wall in full view of every man in t

y i

sti

rved his lips.

N

ou'd l

a didn'

t hav

g it for her, hips presse

tongue tracing th

the first time, gattina, it won't be quick.

epped

ting, throbb

alked