STOLEN HEARTS: FALLING FOR THE ENEMY

RIMSON

ounter any slower, we'll be

er in the bar. He stomped out, his greasy apron tied too tight around his bulgin

y's yelling, but after a long day, it still made her stomach churn. She grabb

on it," she mumble

d. "I do not pay you to stan

pay,' she might have laughed. But tonight, there was no energy for sarcasm. She couldn't afford to

up. They were dressed too well for a bar like this, their suits crisp and expensive, making the smoke-stained walls around t

men," Alessia said, setting

t say thank you-none of them ever did. He gave her a dismissive n

earlier outburst. She could feel his eyes on her from across the room, wat

hes onto the counter in front of her. "We've got more customers coming in, and you're

ed, avoiding his eyes. Why can't he hire m

ace turning red. "I've got half of my mind set to

She couldn't afford to lose this job. Not now. Not with Leo still missing, an

, To

further. He wiped his greasy hands on his apron and hea

ned against the counter, closing her eyes. This job was suffocating her, but what choice d

n hell," she whi

oice suddenly inter

of Tony's regulars. He was a low-level thug in the Crimson Empire, always here with a smirk and

fly, reaching for an empty

said with a grin, leaning across the bar. "Come on, A

e of her cheek. "

enjoying her discom

eting his gaze. Tommaso always lingered longer than necessary, making

, Leo, doing?" Tomm

e was wiping. "I don't know," she said ca

place. "That so? You should keep an eye on him, Ale

he asked, her voice b

things. Things that might be bad for your family. Velancia is not a forgivi

r. She didn't need Tommaso's warnings to know Leo was in trouble. She

uttered, turning away to hide

s empty glass on the counter with

lessia sagged against the

feeling that whatever it was, it wasn't

the lounge swung open. A wave of silence spread through the roo

e Ru

s of the Cri

over the room. People moved out of his way

ng every corner as he walked into a private

d heard the stories-everyone in Velancia had. Dante Russo was ruthl

er, making her jump. "Don't just sta

nte Russo was here, it could only mean one

hat her brother might b