ra

h a silken triumph. "It's exactly as I described it to you, all tho

Dante recited, his voice a low rumble. Words she'd spo

her chest in feigned sur

hadn't seen in years. "Does your of

at," she demurred, her eyes gl

a weight settling so heavily

out a glance at the menu. Pan-seared scallops, truffle risot

a calculated performance of pity that felt more like a dismissal

le to me. "I don't know what

erred fish or steak. I felt erased, as if the last th

pushing my chair back an

e by the marble sinks, her reflectio

, her voice a silken, venomous thread. "A vow of honor. It has

crystal chandelier hanging over our heads swayed violently, it

eted tow

f motion, he crossed the room, yanked Isabella into his arms, and shield

aring pain shot through my side. I looked

ld went

a dull, throb-bing ache. Wincing, I reached for my purse on the nightstan

r eyes, kind and curio

ear?" she asked

a hoarse rasp. "When it reaches zero, I'm

re, his expression unreadable, h

ten po