phin

to divert the convoy. We did not go to his estate; instead, we w

room and examined my hand. He cleaned the burn, applied a cool

perfectly still on the examination table. I sta

t of the corner of my eye. As the doctor worked, Dante's hand g

mured, his voice droppin

y. "I don't cry." I swallowed hard. "My moth

kles turning white against the dark leather armrest. A silent, terrifying r

onvoy drove back into the city, arriving at Dan

oors, bowing her head respectfully. Dante issued quiet or

eams. The bed was huge and plush, and a tray with wa

ighting. I retreated to the marble bathroom, where a tube of premium burn ointment sat beside an array of expensive soaps, their presence a quiet a

He had taken off his overcoat, and h

t are my duties?" I asked. "Wha

," Dante

he laundry. I know how to cook for large groups. If I am taking up to

ing the distance between us. He was so tall I had to tilt my h

ping to a rough whisper. "You didn't

stunned. "Then wh

dden devotion that made my c

middle. My vision blurred, the edges of the ornate Persian

. "Why is the most dangerous man

ed me a clean linen handkerchief. "Do

oft glow of the nightlight I hadn't asked for yet somehow already had, his question echoed in my

utcast spread through the underworld like wildfire

. The digital display on the sleek device flashed a forwarded c

tomach tying in kno

e immediately! You will apologize to Isabella for ste

d resting on the silk sheets. "What do I

ke Omertà! You are a dis

listen to me. We will give you a bigger room. We will publicly acknowledge you as a Rossi. J

shoulder, and Dante took the

back," Dante spoke

e background. "This

u tried to sell her to Chicago, she ceas

xpensive device into the trash can. H

ded s

, he brought me to a high-end boutique controlled by the Falcone Family.

price tag and immediately shook my head, pulling my hand ba

y like?" Dante asked

ve of a pale blue gown; th

te ordered the store manager

e manager urged me into the fitt

. It swept the floor, making me look elegant, but I remembered Elen

reflection. He placed his large hands near my waist-not

ct," he said to

ast. I realized, for the first time in my life, I was trul

f my mind-the same question from last night. Why me? Why ha