ella

beside me like a shadow of death, his mere presence paralyzing the Capo. Leo swallow

ear-old brother. "The little bastard was spreading lies about Angel

e sighed, playing the voice of reason. "Don't escalate a simple misunderstanding

out from behind my skirt. His lip was bleeding, and his small suit was covered

icured courtyard. He didn't cry. He stood tall, his dark eyes b

In our world, taking a dispute to Don Luciano meant a death sentence for wh

led up to the wrought-iron gates. Giovanni Valenti, the Moretti family *Consigliere*, stepped out. He leaned heavily on

d to ice. The Elder's presence

ard. "Speak," the old man commanded, his

bad things about Miss Angelica. And when Mr. Gallo came, I

ze to Leo Gallo. The Capo looked as if h

vanni said, his tone polite but laced with lethal warning. "If you

would shatter. He lowered his head, utterly humilia

nreadable look-a silent acknowledgment of m

to leave, my eyes caught the torn fabric of Luca's jacket and the scraped, bleeding skin on

teps. I blocked their path, my *stilet

tch?" Leo snarled, though he i

ulder, then locked my eyes on Leo's tailored sui

ve wool jacket and bit deep into the flesh of his shoulder-the

, my voice colder than the Octo

with shock and pain. He couldn't comprehend that

r it," Leo hissed, stumbling away and l

em plot. Let them rage. They had touched my blood, and I