ngering glances. Emilia had once thought she could handle this-handle him-but wi

ush of his fingertips against her skin. In the way he lo

r to run, to escape before it consumed

she craved it. Craved the danger, the i

nning to wonder if she'd be left stan

-

phone calls, more secrets. It made her uneasy, the way he pulle

in, though the woman's threat still

on her painting, but her mind kept wanderin

d by her thoughts, Lucie

is eyes locked on hers, and something unre

ying to keep her emotions in check

into the room. His presence wa

id, setting her brush down.

gaze never leaving her. "What i

voice steady but her insides trembling. "Ab

er, his expression unreadable

t the darkness he wore like a second skin, how she was drawn to it and terrified

his voice suddenly dangerous. "You should tru

ground. "You haven't told me everything," she whispered. "

tween them, thick and suffocating.

ting with something darker. "You think you can tr

look away. "No. I don't think you're a s

forcing her to look up at him. "And what would you have me say, Emilia? That I'm not who yo

ed, and she felt the raw

us. "I'm a man you survive. But you're already too deep, amore

screaming at her to run. But instead, she stay

he said, his voice turning softer, a

-

er. She wanted to believe him-wanted to believe that everything he did was for some kind of twisted love. But

door came someti

n, but instead, it was the last pers

ia's face before she spoke. "You t

She wasn't sure what Valentina was

without waiting for an invitation. "Lucien is a man of m

a said, her voice steady despit

out the truth about him-when you understand the darkness he

n cold. "What are

alentina said, turning to leave.

nto her stomach. Her pulse quickened as the

the game. But now, Emilia was starting