d crossed a line no one survived crossing. Kidnapping attempts, betr

ossi had

calculated Mafia Prince they had sworn to follow. B

s per

si's holding up in their Manhattan club, hiding behind walls of muscl

eeting. This was a man preparing to destroy the gh

out to sit on the

ming wi

l. Lorenzo's head

sharply. "Ab

g and hiding, Lorenzo. Tonight, I'm standing beside you.

nderstand ho

steel. "I'm not asking for permission. I

ough to cut air. Then, something shifte

slowly. "But you

Before

und herself in Lorenzo's private armory. H

one of thes

ing the weight. "O

s eyes were serious. "Poin

ng her aim. "You're stronger than yo

rds sa

scared,"

rrected gently. "That's w

entinis

orruption. Rossi enforcers patrolled the perimeter, but

is men moving like shadow

Lorenzo moved with singular focus-

ed the chaos. She didn't flinch when bullets whizzed past

ttered was

ce with Ma

he distant echoes of gunfire. Matteo Rossi stood by the grand piano, sippi

ice oily. "And Aria Russo. I

, his stance lethal. "T

fe doesn't end until someone's buried. Yo

and, voice unwavering. "It'll

ent. "Ah, yes. The hidden baby. Valenti

born into freedom. I'm the one

heartbea

atteo

ts exp

tteo raise his weapon toward Lore

reading across his chest. Lorenzo's fina

ar wa

h - New

The Valentini men secured the club, ro

t, all Lorenzo ca

cupping her face, searching

enaline crashing.

urmured, pulling her

of pent-up emotion pressed into that kiss. When

r," she w

ned. "No, my queen.