her, its façade illuminated by flaming sconces and elegant strings of lights that wove through the marble pillars like

Venetian mask, laced in black velvet, concealed half her face. Every

k suit with a matching mask that made his chiseled features seem even m

a scene. Our target is Matteo Verona. He financed

we make him watch

liers dripping with crystals, masked dancers moving like shadows. Al

whispers. Men turned to look, women narrowed t

ing his heavy jaw. He stood near the bar, flanked by two bodyguards dress

her steps didn't falter. At the bar, she brush

raised. "And fangs, if

ts. Elena played the role perfectly-a bored heiress with a danger

eared behind him, sp

o. Lon

"Alessandro De Luca

arel

atteo's guards shifted subtly

just ta

s planned. Matteo followed minutes later-curious, intrigued,

lver onto Elena's gown. She turned as

already?"

ght air. The bal

"You're not who y

oolly. "Neit

ged from the shadows, gun drawn

" he said. "You signed their death

. "It was ju

, voice hard. "To me

Matteo's arms before he c

ll us everything. Names. Routes. Accou

bravado

ear gardens, Matteo in custody,

d with her fa

eld his future