hia

ung woman?" she inquired,

e," Damian explained, moving to stand beside me. Isabella

ed, eyeing me intently,

o... consult with us,"

ying. You can't keep living

the mention of Elena. I deduced sh

s in front of our gues

oom, an amused expression on h

ion that requires your

od company. And remember, not a word about how you

beneath his charismatic exterior, he was

ong," his mother observed, abs

I replied n

alcony into the main room, hand

sure he hasn't treated you as a lady deserves,"

m his genteel mother. It wa

n... his business?" I asked, cur

nderground world. I tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn't list

pain in her ey

e of the most wanted men in the count

h. The media often distorts reality. The truth is, Damian is a m

es? Assassinations? Arms dealing? That ki

ked. I was tempted to tell the truth,

bar,"

ly, and she noticed my reaction. "Wait, if you're no

arter. I'm a fore

g wrong with Damian? Tell me

Damian, I... um..."

glaring at me. I could tell he was s

to see you," he

e of my son. I may not always be there for him, but seeing you with him giv

d raced, wondering what had hap

office. Damian was on the phone

t killing Dr. Carter?" My hear

n myself," a voice growled from the phone. I r

wouldn't have left that cell alive," Damian replied coolly. "Why

t Tho

ve. Are you alright? Has he hurt

n't harmed me, but I want to leav

?" he aske

nt, Russo?" Tho

what I want. Sto

s into clearing your shipments! You'

pments for others through your connections. I won't waste more time on this.

ur criminal enterprises?" I

sing and moving towards me. I watched his every move w

lena, was murd

at the end. "But what does that have to do with me?" I wa

out a heavy sigh that made his broad shoulders slump. E

u've lived in a sheltered world. My world," he said, standing up s

of your world. You're a completely different person around Isabella, almost like a devoted father. In this dark, scary world you

Even in the darkest places, there are moments of brightness. It's my duty to protect thos

here?" I turned away, unabl

no chains, no cold metal table

thing familiar. Surely you have a plan? What's this about? Are yo

like that. This world is bloody and b

m I? Collateral damage? Or am I a reminder that you

nowing what was happening. It frustrated me beyond

ly, crossing my arms and sinking deeper

ions aren't over." His words made my face flush with heat. I felt my

aid. Suddenly, I felt his hand on m

must admit, your reactions are quite... intri

ing to do with you. Absolutely nothing. And don't you

seemed more amu

frame could muster. The more I did, the more I realized how futile it was. Finally, I suc

een eyes twinkled with amusement, while his unnaturally handsome fac

es of you – the sweet and the feisty. I always appreciate a woman with spirit," he said, his grip on my arm t

ntly morphed into a cold mask. He straight

tely." Marco looked at me apologetically as he held up the

in a few long steps. "What?" he barked into the pho

towards Marco. "What do you all want from me? What exactly? What's the point

e. "If it were up to me, I might have done worse." The large man shrugged

asked myself, the weight of my s