ht silence broken only by the

t inside him reflected by the flashing

ign pull Elena stirred deep within his breast

was powerless to stop, and it was only a matter

him from dream. Enzo came in

s positioned around the edge to m

e clearly restless, th

movem

ng from the win

e ye

n his voice said volumes. S

nsible why we would be

onder about y

eyes narrowed and hard as roc

f they have questions. Remind them of

ed with something almost reluctan

the corridor's darkness to the clos

, she watched him with eyes that

silent challenge neither of

ncentrating on the approach that

hin and the DiGregorios wer

mind them-and his own men-why

her room, fingertips tracing the edges of the

ved as a reminder that she was in his

simmered under the surfac

arts frustration and something else-something

wing herself to become caugh

se the very forces individuals like

otection, a hesitant player in a

te stood there, his shadow sha

the room, a constant r

ve to

h a quiet, unde

ercely. Don't waste your breath if you are he

gone as fast as it first showed. He moved fart

eak point in my armor, the DiGregorios perceive as a means

gaze. "Let me manage myself; if I am suc

s goes beyond just you, Elena now. Whether you like it or n

ined someth

eparating them until they were inches apar

the cost associated

words not spoken. Dante looked at

quest of authority had left marks on

mean admitting weakness-a tr

ss in his voice soft

e safe

d don't make this har

nd exited the room, the door closing with a firm c

ite quiet, she expelled a breath she hadn

h violent promise. Dante's phone vibrated, a note from one of his loo

of anxiety that threatened to erupt with the

for what was ahead, he yelled com

f anarchy. Dante moved with the deliberate accuracy

s guys for best coverage and

more urgency-a life he had

the noises of the struggle f

f but also of the man who had grown

ng and entering the fight as gunfire

wasn't it. Dark and fierce, the intruder's eyes lock

id you?" asked The man snor

lf to move, reaching for the closest object-a weighty lam

gered back, a snarl breaking

e he could get to her. Elena's gaze flew to the doorway,

continued, his voice hard but the r

ome descended over her swallowed her. The noise out

d his eyes never turned a

er voice steadier tha

n words. He stretched out, the brief but electric

more," he stated gently.

d pushed on both of them as he turn

changed with every stride; the

ive, not only about control o

the safe house becoming a bat

rting even as they sank into the dar