m was

d spent years mas

ver his b

over his

ver his e

ways threatened to d

a Mor

the wheel tightened. The tension from their encounter still coil

ared to act like nothing had happen

e hadn't

had let her go once. He would

ss.

ough the speakerphone, cutt

lk.

eing wat

ed darkened

professionals. Whoever it is, they don

eath sl

sn't jus

e only one h

e it. She wasn't weak-he knew that better than anyone. But the thought of some

he refused

urveillance,"

. "Are we protec

curled int

don't want anyone else

rous In

w she wasn

an exclusive Manhattan club, sipping he

t Luca'

ne el

e watc

sion unreadable. She had known stepping back into thi

ed to know who he

ly one man who c

s, a familiar presence filled

ca

to turn to kno

e weight of his eyes. The quiet, c

across from her, his e

ey," he murmured, eyes

ybe I lost my t

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tensi

tudying her. "Who are you

row. "Who says

tween amusement and frustration. "

glass down. "You're not the only

t the look in his eyes

ead. "You think

s elbows on the table. "I don

e, neither of t

into her clutch and pulled out a sleek b

vitat

arched. "Wha

d smoothly. "Exclu

ainst the card. "And

Unless you'r

ous smile curv

princesa," he murmured. "

er and t

underground club

ing neon lights casting shadow

d attention, but his

hia

a deep red dress that clung to her in

n't just t

as h

tic. Unto

t by

a man moved in to whispe

jaw tig

en-without looking-she reached for the glass behind her,

re room

twisted in fury

ld finish, Lu

e. A threat wrap

Luca's hand clamped around his wrist, tw

away," Luca sai

ancing between them. Then,

You never did know how t

ver did know how to min

ng his voice. "You

hed. Barely. Bu

rse he

he played this game, no matt

t immune

never wo

d playing, flowing a

a brow. "Dan

ly quirked. "Car

her voice a whispe

make you lo

shed her waist.

ose," he m

ether, the world fading

ced the dark figure watc

e danger that had just