ella
guest room, navigating the grand, black marble staircase. The painted eyes of past Moretti Dons watched me from the walls, twhispered near the foyer. "They sa
ine hanging over my neck, a ticking clock I couldn't afford while planning my own vende
ahogany table, a fortress behind his *Wall Street Journal* and black coffee. I took a seat far down the side, the physical di
ntries. "The staff think
ently against my glass. Orange liquid spilled on
per. His slate-gray eyes locked onto mine, devoid of ou
ice deadpan, ignoring the terrified maid. "Incapab
ed, his voice a low, dangerous rumble
ancy by Christmas. If the elders believe this rumor, I become a safe, ornamental Queen. An honor
en, a dark amusement curled the corner of his mouth.
us with the silent, lethal grace of a lion. He didn't stop until he was standing direct
enveloped me. He leaned down, his
r authority in his tone sending a shiver down
essed brutally against my pulse point. The blistering heat radiating from his skin, the calluse
thing broken about this man. He was raw, terrifying power,
ty," he whispered against my skin, his grip tighten
ut of the dining room, leaving the a
as a lie, which meant my "safe" shield was an illusion. I was pl
for only a fraction of a second before the ice returned. "Call my
o prove I wasn't just a pawn on his board. I needed to strike fi
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