Cruel Intentions

MI

by-an endless row of sleepless night

liked. His hair was tousled in the front and knotted in the back, but he refused to let Reniella comb it. I hadn't had the p

d for the iPad, but he twis

. "Soon someone will move in with us. She'll be your new mom. She'll take care of you and Amara."

I thundered, gr

eeing tears running do

ter Camila's death, Gabriele had sought my closeness; now he was back to ignoring me. I wasn't s

d my palms under her tiny body and lifted her into my arms. Cradling her against my chest, I stroked her dark blond head. Both Gabriele and she had inherited their mother's hair color and eyes. Pressing a kiss to Amara's forehead, I remembered the first time I did it two days after she was born. Camila had refused to have me prese

at my heart. I needed to get ready for a meetin

early so he could see how business was going in Philadelphia. He wouldn't find reason to worry. I'd forgone sleep to make sure everything worked smoothly in my city.

x said as he lounged in the armchair. "She thought of ev

supposed to stain with my young

lowered it. "There won't be a p

leeping with

it wasn't because of Camila, even if I hadn't been with another w

ons. Only Phoenix could make that decision, and it was clear he wouldn't. I'd considered sleeping with Alejandra. She was pretty, but I couldn't get the image of her innocent, wid

ollowing our tradition. It's not something you

rteen years older than my future wife. She called me 'sir' the first time

hiladelphia without mercy as you expect me to do, but even I have cert

you have to use force," Phoeni

ly believe she will come willingly into my bed. Perhaps she will submit because she knows it's her only option, but

bullet in my head. He didn't tolerate defiance. "You will prese

cussion. How you create b

. "What is it yo

at I want to see bloody sheets, and I and everyone else will take the

xperience faking blood stains. I had been at the presentation of the sheets after his wedding night with Caroline, but even as I tried, I couldn't imagi

ng signs. If I failed a test given by my Capo, the end result was inevitable. I'd be removed from my position in the only acceptable way-by death. While I didn't fear dying

ion would be fatal. I would not risk my chi

u ask of me, Phoenix, like my

on lingered between us. I'd have to watc