gasps, chest hitching with every shallow inhale. Adrian Moretti stood over him, unfazed, the bar

please, "the

blood-slick phone to his assistan

ilo."(C

Adrian crouched down to the man

one job.

e, I s

ulled th

le

sighing like it was all just a mild inconven

ith Eva Scottish," Raffaell

ession softened sl

into the back seat of his armored car.

-

uarterly reports wh

n Mor

for a moment before pic

lvet drag against her spine. "There's a g

ked. "Ex

yes, but also... a statement.

e. She still wasn't used to heari

thly. "Wear something... br

protest, he added

co. Sempre." ( I want

ne wen

een, pulse racing. Wh

-

EXT NI

rner and curious glance. Lights shimmered off chandeliers like shattere

eady there whe

along one leg. Her dark hair was swept back, neck bare except for a single

with something unspoken. He crossed to her, adjusti

ta."(Pe

when you're trying to s

rying. If I were, you'

breath was the only

an pulled her close. "Smile, do

m and its eye. At the first media stop, Eva

ith ice blonde hair and a too sharp stare. She was

re Adrian leaned

a statement,"

t a kiss. It

essive, commanding. It stole her breath. Cameras flashed. Somew

bs. She needed a drink. The glass she picked up from a passing tr

ssed. The

n Italian investor and his too-flirty da

smine, but the lights were too bri

tz, Eva stepped into the center, unsteady but regal. People

chuckled. A

, reaching her just as she swayed. He caught her, his arms firm around

her ear was

id you

on't k

re dr

d softly.

leave her. H

ce, the Epoch

n followed. Their movements weren't perfect- t

unned. The mafia world didn't

didn't

eling every

ras? They ca