n arrived in

mark shaped like a wolf's fang , an

clad legs crossed, a golden pistol on the marble beside

ng himself like

De

uthless.

ld, strategic, and merciless. He inherited his father's business onl

ico lit the

ainst the invitation,

he'd make sure he remembered

ortress carved into a mountaintop. It overlooked the Mediter

n in suits and earpieces. Her presence was both an invitation and thr

to the polished stone of the grand

Snipers.

sguised as

idor that bled warmth and wealth. The air smelled of sandalwood an

't stop

hand. His dark curls were tousled like he'd just rolled out of a love

pped five

d charming, a mask

mischief. "Naples' infamous queen. I was star

wn without blinking. "I

. "So which a

s up t

o a nearby ta

ume anything

wo glasses anyway. "Paranoi

n't here to flirt. She was here to measure him

lly, folding her arms. "Sending me wol

d your a

your men started snif

p. "Then we can s

sed an

id bluntly. "And I'm start

sp. Just the slightest tilt of her head,

bold," s

inevi

" she replied coolly. "And I

, unafraid. His eyes, deep a

to be your e

med scouts t

s cur

ty gets

l have to a

rt now. No table. No

ling off him, that ar

t man to want what's

don't just wan

stil

e lowered like a s

like a bulle

blink. "You'

wouldn't it

way. He didn't follo

But you're alone. That'

oze mi

Kill anyone who gets too close. You're

y. "Spare me the

ion. We both know Kai Romano was your l

dark crossed her eyes

ied it

e said flatly, "and I'l

like he enj

uch

other. Not boss to boss

ing...

"You've built something brutal a

ow. "Is that a thre

ot

smir

said. "You want my cro

a reason to bu

le

and woman but as reflections. E

said, voice quiet now. "War...

e wh

alli

arp and cold. "I don

s mouth near her ear. "Then

ge to reach for the blade

he di

hispered back,

away, Nico d

led out, v

here are devils in this

urn back. Sh

spine

e knew he

d herself a drink and stared at the city from her gla

was

d decla

texted her: "You're not

he drink in

picked up

esit

ge to

me, don't hide behind thre

ket. Stared at the scar that ran along her ribs

ced it

pered int

he war