ella

the dry grass. With the heavy mahogany doors shut and the Russo Underboss

nished from Elena's face, replaced by a

iss. "A Don he may be, but Damien Russo is a broken, twisted cripple. Still, I supp

nt of me, my expression a blank canvas

your head down and behave until the Russo family comes to collect you. Do not bring shame to the Herrera name. We are already expending

ting of being cast aside while the estate celebr

rfectly executed curtsy. "Of course,

na's jaw tightened. She clicked her tongue in disgust and

The vultures had been wait

were Bianca and Giulia, the illegitimate half-sisters. Dressed in cheaper imitations of Sophia's elegant style

rst, her voice dripping with saccharine malice

ies. "I hear Don Damien is quite the sight. Crippled, scarred... and cursed. Did you know his last two fia

t the mention of the dead women, b

e, her beautiful face twisting into a mask of profound, condescending pity. "Isabella... about Leo. I truly hope

ome to watch me bleed, to revel in the tear

their eager, hungry expressions. Then,

e heartbreak she craved. "Mr. Contreras and I were clearly not meant for each other. I would n

e hit her like a physical blow. There was no triumph to be had here, no sh

giving them a polite, dismissive no

d toward the heavy mahogany doors, leaving the suffocating, perfume-choked drawing