Claimed By The Enemy

ANT

casino. He sat in my chair, drinking my whiskey, looking like

said it quietly. That's how I knew he was furious. M

w the

age years of planning because you can't control yours

n do

test me

k down. "Sofia called with a proposal. A marria

. "That's

ssets, shared interests. Neither family can move

marrying

arco leaned forward. "You marry the boy. Learn everything about their operation, their weaknesses, their secrets. Vit

ying Ale

back when you attacked him. He's weak, guilty, perfect for manipulation. You play th

o's exhaustion. The way h

never t

You've been playing parts for five years. This is just another one. Sign the pa

how this would work. I kept my messages short and commanding because that'

hat I expected. Compliant.

ths to get inside the Santoro operation.

destroy

******

dro on one side of the room, me on

ct. Three months from today, you'll have the ceremony. In

giving me the east wing. Alessandro

p, surprise flicker

upervision,"

ws my rules." I looked directly at Ales

s voice

. I can't

He met my eyes this time, and I saw

we understan

e clauses. You'll share financial assets after the ceremony. Any violence b

ed up the pen and signed his name in neat le

aking sure my signatu

cially engaged. Alessandro, I suggest you pack

t over this afternoon,"

e bag. Essentials only. You're

s permanent," S

comfortable." I headed for the door. "Alessandro,

drive m

e knowing about it now. That's the deal." I smi

You're really going to d

a Santoro. There

s broken

e predictable. He'll do what I tell him beca

Marco make

t feels like to lose everything, just like

****

. I didn't bother knocking, just walked

. The same burning building over and over, rendered in different lights, differ

e hell i

tartled. "Yo

you a q

aintings.

detail was disturbing. He'd researched the f

hy

tried. Painted other things. B

amily's murder

rence." He met my eyes. "You're no

ing at me. "Don't compare us. You feel guil

pull away. "I neve

five minutes to finish pac

're m

ith your guilt trip. Five minutes, Alessandro.

inutes later with one bag

y?" I

on't think t

t's go. You've got a lot to learn

aw Nico at the top of the stairs with a smile that pro

to the compound,

ntoro, welcome

his hand. "Thank

r rooms. We're all friends

riends,

wing. Two bedrooms with a shared s

without telling me. You don't meet with anyone without my approval.

a pris

what I say, when I say it, and maybe we get through this without anyone else dying

h those dark, tired

eave. "Dinner is at s

wh

curious how much pushing you can actu

and I felt satisfact

could play nice

would learn exactly what