down on Aria's chest. The penthouse loomed over Manhattan like a

ty she had tried so hard to escape. Behind her, the faint sound of Leo's

a trap disg

by the window?" Lorenzo's deep v

. "I'm not sulki

itchen counter, dressed in black slacks and a crisp white shirt, sleeves ro

ed. "You can't

ever leaving hers. "Until the DNA test results come ba

shing in her eyes. "You k

" he said smoothly. But the undercurrent of p

-how even his arrogance made her pulse race.

your world, Lorenzo. He's a ch

"Do you think you get to decide what's normal for my son?" His voice was soft, but the danger in it was pal

gilded cage while men with guns circle outsi

. "You should know better, Aria. Running only makes you a better

ories. The magnetic pull they had fought against that ni

voice broke

ran up, proudly holding a sleek, miniature black sports

tension out of her body

lex expression that mingled curiosity, pri

cars, huh?

cally. "Yeah! Mommy sa

ly genuine smile. "You'll have a real one when y

him, seeing them together-seeing how easily Leo resp

as always a

That

uffocating in its luxury. She slipped out of bed, padding barefoo

d sleep in unfa

g on the couch, shirt unbuttoned, whiskey gla

die hard," s

e space besi

ed, but cur

lence, the weight of unsaid

me?" Lorenzo finally

e moment you knew about Leo, he'd be dragged into this life. T

"I would never let

ise you can keep.

ou don't get to play saint, Aria.

" she whispered, though

boy Lorenzo once was-the heir born into

d quietly. "But I'll learn. You can hate me,

d them away. "I never wanted to hate

nd of hair behind her ear. "You shoul