da

of clinical antiseptic lingered in the air, but it was quickly swallowed by the intoxicati

hite bandages. Dante stood over me, a towering shadow blocking the dim light of the brass bed

ibrated in my chest. "Say the word, and I will issue

, manipulative women who used his power to settle their petty jealousies. I forced a winc

. I am just a Collateral. I didn't know the rules. She... she just loves you too much. She

ed out. His fingers gripped my jaw with bruising force, tilting my head

edator studying its prey. "In our world, that makes you either a rat, or a woma

ar spill over his thumb. "

ed in his pitch-black eyes. He released me abruptly, turning his

ing tear in my back

nsive fabric. "It belongs to you!" I cried, my voice trembling with practiced desperat

tion, he spun around, grabbing my waist and pinning me back against the mattress. His weight pressed into me,

scended to claim min

down my spine. I pressed my hands flat against his

's brother is your Capo. I won't let my selfish heart fracture

blood. The war between his primal lust and his duty as the Don raged violently in his eyes.

his voice harsh, ragged, and full of wa

Alone in the dim light, I sat up slowly. I wiped the remaining tear from my ch