lace of marble, gilded edg

therine. But today, that cold

she would finall

the family gathered at Don

ys the same

at the head

f passive-aggression

ager to snip at Katherine w

, poured himself wine and pre

nt - ice in a custom-tail

d, Katherine - al

light seafood salad flown in

hummed acro

Romano International's recent d

ent while Luciana nodded,

gotiation with great pre

expe

e smiled

always been

ing, taking a slo

n't ta

urved into her u

thing in marriage. It requires...

crumble far

ediately, her voice

ndle the pressure of

ed her wine gl

he replied softly, her ey

make it to that

of a second, and Don Emilio's sharp ga

owered slightly,

loyalty. Bianca, for instance, has alw

r tigh

ia added, glancing briefly at Ales

kept her s

loya

often loyalty is con

ed now, his voic

oug

ays held itself abov

ned her back but

scussing what's

softly, her voic

e're being so

mally inform the family: Al

oom f

inking of forks

looked up, blin

small, breathy l

mile widene

ciana exha

nally realized y

uciana. Freedom," K

Sofia echoe

you're calling

spoke, his voi

sn't fi

nced at him,

s, yes. But my decision

irred his w

If this is the choi

tral. Alwa

unreadable. But his

ppointed,

family because you wer

one softened

you, Don Emilio. But I won't

pounce

ve. You simply were neve

od what it meant to sup

miled s

t have embarras

mile remained

rassed herself behind

ll into a he

e faintest breath of humor

harp, Ka

s Arroga

emotionally," Ale

n't irre

ed, superior - as if h

't resist on

et walking a

ectly on Sofia - a slow, dang

I regret is not

her movements graceful

rble floor as she glided out of the roo