n her fingers over the mahogany banister as she descended the grand staircase, her heels soft against the ma

ept since the

er signing their so

oms and back alleys alike-had left the house before dawn. His absence didn

had dragged in like a trophy-or a hostage. Celine ignored them. She had grown used to s

something to ground her. But before she could eve

, with ice-blonde hair twisted into

long here," t

nked. "And

doesn't appreciate strangers waltzing

sure being his wife entitles

"That farce of a marri

than it should have. But Celine had

planning on stay

self a mug and walked out

y door stood ajar.

ized like a battlefield. But beneath the order lay a savage edge. And in the center o

ye

e

ed millio

offered her love. He had offered her safety-from debts, fro

t wha

hone

wood will keep you safe foreve

mach ti

d escaped were cre

ed behind her.

. No tie. Just the crisp shirt, top buttons undone, revealing

eath threats in the mo

smile. "You kn

a contract. Now you're min

tirred something in her.

your pr

rotection. Same th

the air tightened. Celi

leverage," she said. "Don

y, protection, and a name. I gave you all three. And in return,

eath c

f something behind his control. A

y. "This isn't

ply. "Because we don't

y quiet. This place had once hosted gala events, political dinners, and mafi

t she felt it-the change in the

rooms like this?"

you walk around like

se I do. Or I did. Until you showed u

her arms. "You

, slow and deliber

ven't you touched me? You p

re bold-but

gaze dropped to her lips. "Bec

at do yo

ou

nfession an

"When you're ready, come to me on your own terms. But

ding in the shadows of a pal

the house wa

s wide, heart racing.

n she h

wo rooms over.

her phone-but th

s swallowed

d out, unsure if she

le

ent. A figure

earest object-a l

ches from the i

's voice barked

s snapped

ne f

security men, weapons drawn.

l is going on

arm," Lorenzo growled. "Third fl

"So I'm not even sa

y didn't get to you.

What matters i

st him, fury

owed. "

th the devil. But I didn't think

d the door

ollowed, Lorenzo star

irst time, he

re no longer

ere pe

beast wa