had created around her. The rain stopped at some point in the night leaving the air damp and sticky. The tiny room

Dante's icy scheming eyes stuck in her mind. It reminded her that he wasn't finished with her

ure. She knew she had to be tough-had to think straight to have any chance

stiffened ready for whatever-or whoever-waited outside. T

to see you

ill gripped her. She rose to her feet, her legs unsteady as s

a gunshot. Dante's mentioned guards were nowhere to be seen, but Aria sensed their p

rea. It had little furniture, with just one chair in the middle facing a huge win

the chair like a ruler

sting on the chair's arms. The quiet almost peaceful way he sat there made Aria s

dark eyes met hers maki

red, his voice

d. She took the seat across from him

right through her. His stare was keen

d, his voice low and even. "I've

She tried to talk, but Dante st

menacing. "I've had enough time to think about

ce shaking even though she tried to

room felt super tense. He moved a bit

I'll buy that? A girl like you-so pure and green-just h

of anything else to say, no way to prove she wasn't

pensive. "Or maybe you're here to bring me down. Is that it A

hat? No! I'm not working for anyon

t it had no joy in it. "Stop p

ing more desperate. "I don't! I've

ce between them heavy and hard to breathe in. Aria's thoughts raced trying to t

her watching her movements and breaths. She sensed his

t up and went to the window. He gazed at

voice louder than her own heartbe

n't leave this place soon, but hearing Dan

ant from me th

back to her. "I

he truth," Aria said . "

Then he suddenly turned to face h

aid . "And the better they li

much danger she was in. Dante wasn't just suspicio

o walk on

ky from the significance of her statement. "I don't

yes probing hers for any hint of lies. Then , he ap

his tone grim and conclusive. "Not until I

nd herself caught-caught in a tan

l then?" she asked

n you. I'll watch your every action, your every

ger. She had no choice but to ob

"we'll start from scratch. You'll tell me all

hin making her look up at him. Hi

d , his eyes locked on