ella

till held my gaze when Sofia timidly announced

d with sweeping Sicilian landscapes, and the faint, expensive scent of lilies. It was my domain now, a symbol of my new

al document onto the polished mahogany table. "Sign i

d, keeping my voi

re tied to the O'Bannon Boys. You're in over your head. For the sake of Rowland decency

hen back at him. "No. My a

h," he snarled, stepping forward. "You have no idea what you're doin

d no,

down hard on my upper arm. He tried to drag me toward the table, hi

looked down at his hand, then up into his furi

et whisper. "Touch me again, and my husband's *Soldiers* will tea

nvocation of the *Cosa Nostra*'s absolute, blood

mind?" Connor hissed at him. Connor wasn't protecting me; he was the only one smart enough to re

ned papers. They turned toward the door, but Connor lingered

ou," Connor muttered. "A rat i

past life burning bright in my mind. *One day you'll learn the truth about the viper you've raised. You

ong. Barely twenty minutes after my bro

signature mask of wide-eyed innocence, a sweet smile painted on her lips. She sa

rehearsed concern. "The boys were too rough. But... I am worried about you. I

entary flare of defiance. She was using the Irish mob as a ghost to frighten me into sub

hunting for. Instead, I turned my head and looked directly into her eyes

ster?" I asked, my to

completely vanished from her face, leaving behind a cold, calculating stare. The illusion of