ella

I don't remember anything, *Signora*(Madam)," I stammered, keeping my eyes glued to th

hissed, stepping forward to deliver a sharp kick to my thigh. "*Puttana

id with a lazy flick of her wrist. "Enough, Caterina. The

h is far too rough for a woman of my delicate constitution." Bianca paused, her tone dripping with false piety. "Furthermore, my spiritua

into a diamond. *The surrogate plan.* She needed an incubator, a disposable womb to bear the Moretti heir so she could

r voice like grinding stones. "And you, dirty little rat,

velvet cushions. "I am giving you a chance to at

servant. I widened my eyes, looking up at Bianca with a carefully crafted mix of a

d the exact eff

, her breath smelling of bitter coffee. "You are nothing. You will have no name, no face, no voice. You will go to him only in the pitch black, and you will leave

d smirk. My "stupidity" had reassured her. A greedy

over Mrs. Russo's knuckles. "Yes, I understand.

bargain was sealed. They thought they had chained a lamb, comp

ommand, three heavy, rhythmic knocks

cent of Chanel No. 5 seem

the hallway-one of Damien's loyal *Soldiers*. "The

face, replaced instantly by stark, unfilte