cating. Not from fear I had moved p

tue as the city sped by outside. The gunfire had ceased, but the sounds still

my heart racing

"Dante" He seized my wrist with a grip that sent a current of electricity through

tone was unsettlingly calm. I withdrew my

sance." Dante let out a measured breath, as if testing my resolve. "

e spread across his face. "Not for

rs on his knee, his eyes locked on mine. "Your father has made powerful

up. My father sold

ly with a chuckle. "Your father was in deep trouble,

gaze was intense. "You were

ze."W

reducing the dis

romised you to som

s shifting beneath me. My

s sharp. "Ricci

s with hesitance. Because Marco Ricci was

l for amusement, he had a reason. But Ricci? Ricci reli

I struggled to voice my que

expression inscrutable. "Because

gated driveway guarded by

tance. I needed to breathe. I looked back at him as he exited the car, his demeanor steady, his mo

do you want from me?" I d

slow, predatory smile appeared. "What do you want from me?" I resented how my stomach churned

lf to breathe

f he anticipated my respon

won't." His smile dee

and spinning me back around.Heat surged through my skin. "Let go,"

ne protecting y

need yo

sed. "You lack options." A

oshed from my lungs. I faltered. Dante caught me before I could collapse, his grip uny

cooperate. Dante pulled me closer, his face mere inches f

blinked, my vision blurring. "I... I didn't.

voice was low, menacin

ast thing I heard before the darkness enveloped

re die on me,