he dangerous game unfolding around him. She couldn't help but think of the irony-she had been running from her family, from the deal t

ity she didn't want to face. She wanted to say no. She wanted to walk away from Luca Monticelli, to take Nico and run far away, to a place

ice low and trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance. "You th

ion. He didn't flinch. Didn't blink. "I think you'll do whatever it take

creeping into her mind. Was he right? Was he really her o

ng her head. "I'm not like you. I do

welcome to try your luck without me. But let me remind you, Isolde... there are people out there

nce, betrayal. She had witnessed it from the sidelines, her family entangled in it, but never fully understanding the depths of it. Now,

ady, though her insides were a whirlwind of conflicting emot

o win wars or to gain more influence." He stepped closer to her, his voice lowering to a whisper that felt like a threat. "I do this because it's survival. Survival in a world that d

ose, tightening slowly, relentlessly. He was right. Th

idn't involve s

I can't refuse," she said

g you a way to survive, Isolde. A way to make sure your little boy doe

of future she could give him. A future where his life wasn't determined by t

h harsher. Nico had been born into a world where survival was ev

coaxing. "You make your bed, you lie in it. Your family made their bed

n. She was trapped. She could feel the chains already tightening a

ed, her voice barely audible. "I w

quickly dismissed it as another manipulation. "You don't understand," he said quietly. "This world doesn't care about your innocence, your morals. It doe

known, everything she had ever believed in, was slipping through her fingers lik

nally said, her voice steady but la

his eyes gleaming with

t of her. "This is a list of people you'll need to contact. A few people who can help you. But don

the envelope, but she d

voice low but fierce. "How do I know you won't j

ulating. "Because, Isolde, I don't n

e-the fear of what he would do to her, or the realization that, in this mome

d it would be Luca Mont