the villa

ed like ghosts between rows of guests dressed in couture and concealed ambition. It

de sur

low. Diamonds sparkled at her throat, on loan from Alessandro'

ss of a predator. His tailored suit did nothing to softe

?" Emilia whispered as she

ettled low on her back as he led her fo

ses," she

-

es. Politicians, businessmen, rivals disguised as friends. E

scar running down his cheek

," he said. "And t

"Oh, I don't survive,

. Then the man laughe

ar. "That's Dario Mancini. He once

without blinking. "So we'

catchi

-

Alessandro led her onto the balcony overlooking the gardens.

l," he said, lighting

m since I was sixteen. Only the

ok at her. "And

"You're a different

pa

id of me?" he

cigar from his lips and draggin

id. "I'm afr

buzzed in his pocket. He checke

it?" Emil

ned and strode back into t

air returned, s

out into the darkness beyond the hedges-where

ited

't just begin

lready b