voking the atmosphere of approaching thunder. Francesca was afra

s stance transformed from calm commander to calculating tactician. Taking it from the back of the chair, he draped his ja

ent on others and feeling like a liability. "I refuse t

n, his eyes darker than she had ever

but Francesca pulled away. "I'm not some helpless girl! If

is voice sinister and low. "He's attempting to convey a m

n explain the true situation to me. Dante, why are they here? Wh

or not. "Money is not a concern for Lorenzo. He's trying to re

her weight shift on th

sing Francesca's question, "El

f patience. "No! Until you tel

d break a tooth. Burning with frustration, but also

he kids." Dante said, his voi

and forth between Dante and Francesca, Elena grudgingly nodded

nds trembled a little. As Dante drew nearer to her, the environment became tens

ht. In the not too distant past, the Rossi family held the most power in t

ath. "You're telling me

o do with control. Power." "You are being used by Lorenzo as a prop

toward him and challenged him

r hard against him, bringing his lips down on hers. The kiss was

ed in a low, growling voice. "

ter and her head cleare.

ide of her face as his gaze

reply, and Vince barged in with a grimace

control mask sliding back into place. "Get the men ready. Nobody enters. Vince nodde

rancesca. "You're heading up.

I'm not going anywhere. If Lorenzo intends to use me as a pawn, l

erhaps fear, flashing in his eyes. "You're naive,

ared of him," she shot back, drawing near

nte's jaw tightened. "Fear is n

u have no idea what it's like to be poor and hear negative comments from

they snapped back to their hardened state. "Francesca

ante's eyes grew cold, and her heart shot up into her throat. He took her

s of wood flying over the marble floor before they could get halfway down the hall. With their weapons out, a gr

pression of satisfaction. "I notice that you're still

sca, his body a steel wall. "Lorenzo, don't you

think I'm here to bargain? You're in

e, obstructing any possibility of escape. This was an execution, not a negotiation. Fra

. "Oh, Francesca, you're not understanding. I didn

" Lorenzo's grin deepened. "Watch

of fire spreading. Francesca's eyes grew wide with fear as the mansion started to smell like smok

had them surrounded, the mansion itself was turning into a death trap. Lorenzo gave Dante one more loo

rse as Lorenzo turned and vanished into the darkness. As Francesca saw the flames licking at

ed on hers. "We're not done yet," he uttered in a steady, qui