, adjusting it with precision. Her hands moved with practiced ease, her eyes gleaming with admiration-and something else. Possession. A subtle, yet unmistakable, desire swirled within

but Stacia was confident that as long as Eve was out o

to take drastic measu

iet unease as his mind drifted to Eve. Will she be safe? His instincts chur

as off. The knot in his stomach only tightened as his need for a drink grew. He needed to

is thoughts with a single question, "Wil

eam of jealousy in her eyes didn't escape him. He sighed, the weight of the situation settling d

stunning green gown to impress him, hoping for a compliment, but Lorenzo hadn't spared he

lowed him into the study, the sound of he

his easy smile lighting up the room. "Lorenzo," h

command was crisp, and Francesco paused, his smile momentarily fa

Lorenzo wasn't in the mood for games. Without a word, he uncorked a bott

her. "What a beauty..." He took a strand of her hair between his fingers, his touch surprisingly tender. But it didn'

But Stacia's reaction told a different story-her face flushed with embarrassment and anger, th

the air, smooth but laced with quiet auth

confusion, forced a smile and left the room,

w and controlled, though a flicker of warning burn

urse," he replied with a smirk, though he was also wondering what exactly the woman Lo

feel this strange pull toward her, this overwhelming desire to protect her? The questions

voice steady, but something about the w

e rest of them, huh? Or is there more? Is she more to you than just one of your 'people'?

rely in check. He leaned forward, a low growl slipping from him,

was... intriguing. "Who's the 'Knife' you're working with, then?" he teased. "You're being awf

n lingering at the edge of their dealings, a shadow whose presence filled him with bo

ntasies, Francis," Lorenzo muttered

oxicating to ignore. "I think Knife is a woman," he said slyly, watching Lorenzo's reac

the satisfaction of showing it. He laughed, a deep, throaty sound. "You have an overactive imag

the truth, to find out just what was hidden behind the walls of his brother's carefully con