-faster this time-before plunging the

a fr

ait of her mother loomed above her, still and silent, but now hauntingly alive under the amber light. Her painte

ak echoed

eart hammering, eyes

eliberate. Booted

he ap

irst. Just stood there, tall and still, his face carved in quiet menace. The firelight from a distant room danced

a widow's peak that emphasized the severity of his expression. The tailored suit he wore hugged his frame like it had been stitched for his sins-black

came, was low and l

didn't

t repeat

p hesitant. She passed the portrait again, her eyes drawn back to her mother's p

ique vases, the scent of lavender and aged wood-it all screamed wealth, but it didn't soothe her. Not whe

om that felt like steppin

fireplace crackled with orange fire, the only warm thing in the room. A single leather chair sat behind a ma

door behind he

lenched at her sides. "Why is my

mself a rich amber liquid and sat, folding his hands on th

it

l st

uieter this time-but

lowered herself

. "You brought me here against my will.

pleasure," he replied. "You were

ion? Is that what you

er and withdrew a thick black folder. With precise movemen

a fr

re transfer receipts. Legal contracts. And there-at the bottom of th

she wh

sold you to the Valieri Syndicate to pay off a d

head. "No, h

. But he made you collateral when you were sevent

s scanned the page again, hopin

ogs. Surveillance footage of him signing in Rome,"

t answer.

at like acid i

fa

t tea when she was sick, who kissed her forehead before school, who told her that she was the last good thing

had s

them before he continued. "Now that you

gaze sna

ve. You will be watched at all times. Meals will be brought

t going to accept

't have

ll es

dn't shift. "Try,

think this is normal? You think you can lock me i

he said, rising slowly. "You are no

eath c

she said

filled the space like smoke-heavy, su

up a step. "Y

rd. "It was part of the de

er hand and

ried

ing, his grip firm but not

to obey me," h

art racing, face flushed wit

. "You'll find it looks

chest

fire and silk, Luciano

said it

il she hit the edge of the chair. "Why me

my re

not an

y one you'll

heat of his body still ling

hout looking at her. "Teresa wil

'm not eating your food.

n ten days, we will marry-whether you come t

ips parte

e a mo

file. "I'm just the man who pai

ffice, the firelight cha

, Alina paced li

cked from the outside. Teresa had said nothing as she led her

scream. Cry. T

't give them t

gh the curtains, silver on stone. And then she turne

wi

ldn't g

ay house with a

to wear a white dress for a m

da

ow long

escape t

it kil