Carte

to leave. We have

se, he fixed me up w

"This alter

lread

hat do

is gaze. Sal

gas

you s

I didn't pull the trigger earlier. But n

my is l

imed, "We don't need an army

hi

grin

crets h

. Could yo

a drawer, and too

tes with competing families. Ki

make us

priate time. The co

oved

posse

d at th

means no t

finished be

e door f

. Black-c

gelo pushed m

one s

I orders say you

what it is like to be s

hard and rough like a slap. Visconti Angelo Not only chilly, his

s was different. This was about domi

t, his presence was overpowering. What the hell are you talking abo

correct? Angelo's lips curled into a dan

my heart was racing in my chest. I was supposed to be in contro

ying to hold onto whatever little control I still had. Do you

ry, I don't care what you enjoy. I am

is it at this time? One more questi

ed closer. This

my mind r

a puzzle he was determined to solve. Then, in one smooth motion, his

ut even to my own ears,

it got tighter. You are not

I asked, but I already knew. He de

w you are deeper than you believe. Can you be the victim? Play

throat felt dry.

he whispered gently, his lips brushing my skin.

nstrict and I drew away from

rty idea I'd ever had. Rory, I've been tracking you for a long time. I know everything you have accomplished. I know your past. I

ed. Wha

ose, Rory. From your

a rhythm alerted me to my racing hear

stop lying to yourself. Stop pretending you are some innocent young girl in

. A familiar shame devoured me, causing my chest to tighten.

tered, attempting to pass him, b

onded gently, almost lov

my hand, before I could react. I gasped, seeing his

I stuttered, unable to prevent

l help you out. I will assist you in correcting anything you

gh my veins. I wanted to say no. I felt like running. A dark side

sist me? I muttered, my

unrelenting. Having been where you are, he finally added. I have done

ithin me. Still, I would not submi

Rory, you can simplify things, even Now hold my hand and I'll guide you through the nex

f of his. You are not

u? He growled gently. Should you take

s racing in my chest. Not especially. Your deeds

n us. You are already doing things you never imagined could ha

sed. I made myself rise up even if my legs trembled under me. "I'm n

"Not yet." You will be, though, should

. What does that indicate? W

s mouth. Rory, I'm saying you are nearer to the edge tha

examined the screen, and then turned back toward me. "This isn't finishe

me there, my

where Angelo had been only moments before. His comments ran

ect to assert it. I was too far in now

ld I live with the decis

teps behind me, I had

hroat tightenin

or

as Salva

n't by