ella

and into the Russo penthouse on Fifth Avenue. It was nine o'clock. I had ex

g scent of Victoria's Chanel perfume and

k up from her teacup. "That black card I gave you has been deactivated

ed straight down the h

assive walk-in closet, lined with Mia's tasteless, logo-covered designer dresses. In the far corner, tossed carelessly onto the hardwood floor, sat a single b

a trash bag, doe

licious smirk playing on her lips. She was trying desper

As I passed her, Mia made the childish, spitef

tumble. I simply shifted my weight and brought the heav

of delicate bones e

shriek and collapsed to the floor,

to a mask of pure, unhinged fury. "You rabid dog!" she roared, raising

around her wrist like a steel vise,

ching bag," I whispered,

rough the air as her shoulder dislocated from its socket. Victoria's eye

ble and hurled it at me. I sidestepped effortlessly. The crimson liquid splashed against

t, pulled out my phone,

lled the chaotic hallway: *"A blood oath of exile... Or I have an

froze, staring at the device i

own at my stepmother, "do you think he'd enjoy watch

she shrieked to the trembling maid coweri

Her terrified eyes were f

ak door had

*Soldiers*, moving with a lethal, synchronized precision that instantly suffoca

Meltoni walked i

kage with chilling indifference-the wine-stained wall, Mia sobbing on the floor, Victoria clutch

hem. His gaze locke

elly voice vibrating through the sud

y past anymore. As I stepped over it and walked toward him, the towering *Enf