a Car

fortress. It was a compound of iron gates, armed guards, an

ards waved me through, their expressions deferential.

ssenger seat, my grip tighteni

was the quintessential Mafia wife-blind to t

with a perfectly manicured hand. "I heard there w

?" I asked, ign

ing the radiating t

grand staircase, my footsteps h

ck on the door to his

leather sofa, a tumble

wasn'

itting on the edge of his des

l jersey. The one with 'LIT

wasn't just a fashion choice; it wa

ed, taking a slow si

didn't look guilty

o home," he said

idn't look at Catalina. I refused to gi

you somethi

like dirty secrets. The locket slid across the wood. The diamond engagement ring, a

the ring. His

this dram

voice devoid of emotion. "I'm retur

nd. "God, you're pathetic. Do you thin

," I sai

his size to intimidate, a tactic that used

up," he c

N

, pick

urn it. I don't care.

ed to

roared. He grabbed the box and hurl

ining memories down into the foyer

You don't get to deci

ment you left me in

ut onto th

gressively on the floor. "You just don't ge

me at the top of the s

," I

ke

ina grabbed my arm. She yanked, t

ted her own balance

on my arm tightened, dr

f

houlder slammed into the railing. My knee

ing myself on the banister. Pain explo

anding, barely bruised. She

me! Jax! She

nning out o

for air, tears springing to my ey

t even lo

a, checking her for

he asked her, hi

, pointing a manicured finger

s twisted in a rage I had nev

t out of my house before I

and adrenaline the only things keeping me u

gasped. "

oing off the walls. "You're lucky I don't

Catalina up and walked her back in

one leg, the silence of th

d over her mouth. She didn't move to help

tairs, each step a fresh tortur

myself t

ng room, icing my swolle

ification fr

It was Jax, holding her on

: My pr

d at th

sharp and real. But the

thing left t