ella

of my approach as I walked down the dimly lit corridor. At the far end stood a massive set of mahogany doors. Guarding them

he Wall' Gallo, Dante Mo

, his face a mask of stone. "No entry, Sign

e. I didn't stop moving until I was inches from his chest. "Every second you delay, your Don's authority wa

afia loyalty warring with the undeniable truth of my words. In that split second o

th my heavy silk wedding dress trailing behind me like a ghost's shroud. Befo

ing, thick with the scent of aged scotch,

on. His slate-gray eyes locked onto me with the chilling stillness of an apex predator assess

d the folded tabloid onto t

hed for the brass telephone on his desk. "I am calling

ing my hand flat again

mirk touched his lips, cold and devoid of humor. "You ha

ng aura. "Your heir just made the Moretti syndicate the laughingstock o

slightly. I pres

t defeat. You tell the world you were played." I leaned closer, my heart hammering against my ribs, though my voice never wavered. "But if you marry me, you turn a humilia

ched, thick a

ound the desk, stopping mere inches away. The sheer heat radiating from him was intox

rning scrutiny. He was no longer looking at a pawn; he was looking a

authoritative rap of a silver-tipped cane

e, open this door) a raspy, ancient

a Moretti