tiff posture but clear defiance. She was a sharp contrast to the surround

onment, yet here she was, risking all to conf

amage came her way. He held back, though, observing her and wondering how some

away from every rule he

s echoing down the small hallway. Three men appeared, their motions

a tough man with a perpetual scowl and eno

n growled, moving toward El

n raised to meet his eye. "I

d annoyance. She had no idea what she w

s men to disperse. "bold, aren't you?" Embar

guys in place, Dante moved before he made a conscious decision. His repu

danger. As he approached, his eyes stayed on the lead

leader faltered as

" We were

no dispute, his eyes fixed nonstop. "I advise

terror. But the leader, obviously trying to preser

s. "Moretti, this is no more yo

erilous flash in his eyes. "So, you

llness preceded the man giving his men a subdu

xact. The first assailant was crippled with one blow; the second, w

is cruel smirk playing on his lips as

id, his voice poisonous. Tell him

d friends and he stumble off. Except for the echo of rushing feet

r wrath or terror. She just crossed he

er voice lacking appreciation

Is that indeed? Because it seemed as though

shrugged fiercely off her jacket. Maybe

She was impossible, tenacious in a way he had not seen. And he c

he remarked, his voice calm but tinged with warning. "

ppose I lack understanding of this planet? I notice it daily. The onl

pulling at his mouth. "Is that your impr

ignorant to what Dante here does. Not only

had any comedy value. "Be caref

at him instead, though, her face softening. "Perhaps you have forgo

ed a sensation he could not quite define-perhaps a recollection, m

sper, before he could reply. "Dante, you're not as merc

rability he rapidly covered. Nobody had ever ven

," he whispered softly, his voice tinge

le, her eyes fixed on

g him by alone in the alley. Dante observed her

ood there, the familiar sense of co

his meticulously created univers

ce the next day, lost

ess, her stubborn look, the way she had vie

zo's voice broke hi

and saw Enzo's gl

desk. The men from DiGregorio did not treat yesterday ni

The DiGregorios were working harder than he had projected. St

his voice low. Elizabeth. Getting to

ecame charged. A part of him wanted to pretend

the idea of her in danger set off something basic in him. "Wha

eyes. "We forward to them a note. Make

sure about that? You know the DiGregorios; they are not ea

grew more intense. "I hav

ded knowing the weight of the instruction. Dante leaned back

e dealing with, the DiGregorios reas

He knew the hazards and the ramifications. But for the first ti