ella

c *clink* of Dr. Bianchi's instruments. Damien stood over me like a dark monolith, his shadow

radiating a lethal authority-my mind invol

nd a girl's foolish hope. I remembered the way the silk sheets felt against my skin as I waited for him in this very room

ring to sit on the edge of the bed. *"The Irish are moving on

dawn as a virgin Queen-a title that felt more like a mockery with every passing year of his absence. He vanished the next morning, and for six years, I was t

gh the medicinal scent of the room. "Is there more justice you w

r Dr. Bianchi to leave. The doctor scu

is, Isabella," he said

bastard into my home?" I sat up slowly, ignoring the sting in my wrist. "Tell m

t was a bloodbath in Chicago. The Irish mob didn't play by the rules. I wa

eting second, I saw the ghost of th

ce thickening with a dark, heavy emotion. "His daughter, Cora... she found me. She hid me in a cellar for three weeks,

ng the final raid. A scar that means no other man in our world will take her. I owe her a debt

d my lips. "A debt of

ers, negotiating with greedy bankers, and maintaining the facade of a powerful Mafia

ven him her blood. In the twisted logic of the Omertà, I was ju

whispered, the wor

hen he spoke her name was answer enough. "I intend to compensate you, Isabella. You

t my heart turning to ice. "You think you can b

waited for was a stranger, and the husband I was promised was a lie. He

your soldier-girl, Damien. But remember this: a Queen without a King

oor close, the fire of revenge finally consuming the last remnants of my grief. He thought he could manage me like a business transa