a P

m waiting for me: an ambush. My m

through the silence, sharp and laced with th

ssing a problem, not a daughter. "For the good of the Family," he stated, "

eyes locking on Dante

he muttered, his words aimed at the floor. "To ca

n. Any union he pres

f submission falling into

rushed to my side, her eyes glistening with calculated sorrow. "Oh, A

r nails digging into her flesh, drawing beads

bid thing. "See? See what you do to her? You're always

ing-it severed the last thread of my restraint. A laugh esc

ft. I met each of their gazes in turn-my family, the man

me, a desperate plea in his gaze, and I could read his silent

n icy whisper only he could hear. "It wa

d disbelief warred in his eyes. He turned hi

us since childhood, the one I had clung to even in the darkest hour