nna

ing the seam of my lower lip w

esire her

ld. It was not a promise-it was a threat I co

a promise, but as the clang of a heavy,

painful thud against my ribs, a fra

ed screamed that his promise was

garded me the way an anatomist might regard a specimen, wi

sh, but froze. The muscles in her cheeks seemed to lock, a rictus

rward, nearly tripping ove

amaged goods?" she demanded, her vo

erical pitch. "She must be blackmailing you! What kind

, the low hum of their voices like t

hat followed his declaration was therefore a violation of its physics. I saw older capos, men with faces like worn leather, exchange glances. A

clasping her hands toget

begged. "I will force the secrets from her

ce, cracking the thick veneer of make

ther had so desperately tried to sabota

f luxury by ruining my reputation; in truth,

his broad chest brushing ag

e, sent a tremor down my spine. My toes curled inside my satin

blackmail, Ro

ballroom could hear his smooth lie. "I insist

ed in a fresh wave

dred street brawls, hide their mouths beh

love-struck fool, a man willing t

ught he

not weak; he was simpl

wd, a short, balding associate

amber-hued whiskey, his face f

ick and unsteady. "We all know the real reason you

ried to forget. Carlo's drunken mention of "White Lotus" meant nothing clear, b

upting him a second too late, a desperate

a new, frantic idea. "Break the betrot

ed me sideways, her fingerna

e babbled. "A virgin who has ne

k of her palm against my cheek echoed in

e, and a slow, metallic wa

er chest heaving with the effort. "She jealously hid her from

heavy oak doors at the

ommanded. "Show him what

ad become nothing more than a d

found mine agai