Myvoice starts low and bluesy, buildinginintensitywitheachverse. Ipour everyounce ofmyselfinto the lyrics, eyes closed as the music takes over Bythe swellingchorus, I'mbeltingit out straight fromthe gut This is myescape, my refuge.
He drops his hand and leans against the makeshift vanity, studying his rings. "See that's the thing, baby doll. I got an importantguestcomingtomorrownight,realVIPtype.He'safanofthearts.Ipromisedhimaone-on-oneshowwithLaRosa's finestperformer."
He straightens his tie and walks to the door. "Letme know ifyouchange your mind. ButwayIsee it, a prettyface like yoursdoesn'tcomealongtoooften Bearealshameifsomethingdamagedit"
Thedoor slamsshutbehindhimwithanawful finality.MyhandsshakeasIlightacigarettetosteadymynerves.Iknew fromdayone this gigwasn'tonthe level Carlo's gothis hooks sunkdeep ineverybackroomdeal and dirtyscheme inthis town.I'dbetgoodmoneythiswholejoint'sjustafrontforlaunderingFerraromoneyfromtheirrackets.
After mylastdragIdropthecigaretteintoastainedcoffeecupandsmoothmydress.Showtimeagain.Ismoothmydark hairandreapplymysignatureredlipstick-mybattlearmor
Squaringmyshoulders, Ireturnto the dimlylitstage. The familiaritysoothes mynerves as the band starts up again. For nowatleastIhavethepower Theseschmuckscametohearmesing
Iclose myeyes and beltitoutlike mylife depends onit. WhenIopenthemagain, IspotCarlo leaningagainstthe bar, glaringatme Hiswarninghangsheavyinthesmokyair
IdidwhatIhadtotosurvive Skippedschool,liftedfoodandclothes fromshops,squattedinabandonedbuildings with otherrunaways.Welookedoutforeachother,myfleetingchosenfamily.Butthestreetschewkidsupfast.
After gettingtossed fromthe group home for pettytheft, Itookto singingingrimyunderground clubs for cashunder the table Sleptonfriends'coucheswhenIcould
Somewhere alongthe way, the lines betweentheir world and mine blurred. Now I'mjusttryingto survive withmysoul intact ButrefusingCarlo'sdemandstonightmakesmewonderifIjustsignedmyowndeathcertificate
Myspiralingthoughts getinterruptedbythescreechoftires onwetasphalt.Asleekblacksedanpulls uprightalongside me,blockingmypath Iknowthatcar,seenCarlo'sdriverSalbehindthewheelplentyoftimes Myheartjumpsintomythroat The tinted passenger window rolls downhalfway, revealingSal's pockmarked face gloweringatme. He looks like he's perpetuallysmellingsomethingrotten.
"Wasn'tanoffer Bosswantsmekeepinganeyeonhistopearner,sogetinthedamncar" His tone makes itclear this isn'tup for debate. Iglance around butthe street's empty, nota soul insight. Withno other choiceIslideintotheback,theleatherseatsstillholdingtheday'swarmth
Pullingthe elastic frommyhair, Ikickoffmyheels and shuffle to the kitchen. Ifill a glass ofwater butmyhands still tremble,sloshingitoverthecounter Icurseandmopitupwithadishtowel
No, I have to handle this myself I'll call the lounge inthe morningand quit the La Rosa gig It's not worththe money anymore,notifitmeansbeingCarlo'splaything.
Myhead is spinning, so Ido whatIalways do attimes like these whenIneed to feel strong. Digginginthe dresser, my fingersgrazeaheavy,engravedbox.Gently,Iopentheboxandallowmyfingerstotracethebeautifuldarknecklaceinside.
The blacktear dropshapedonyxreminds me ofmymother's eyes the dayshe gave this tome.Her mother gave ittoher beforeshedied Iwonderifmymothergaveittomethatdaysomehowsensingherowndeathwasnear
Inmyheart, itseems like the safer optionis to continue singingatLa Rosa's for a little while longer. Maybe ifIputoff tellingCarlo until he calms down, things will go more smoothly. Icould slowlyreduce myshifts before eventuallyleaving altogether.
A garment bag with my few nice performance dresses hangs in the corner. I run my hand over the sequined fabric, rememberingthenaïvegirlwhooncethoughtthesewerehertickettoabetterlife
My brothers Antonio, Giovanni, Rafael, and Pietro are already waiting around the scarred oak table under the flickeringglowofthechandelier Wemayshareblood,butwe'reasdifferentasfourmencanget
Giovanni'skickedbackinhisleather chair,polishedwingtipsproppedupcasuallyonthetabletop.Heeyesmewiththat usual cockysmirktwistinghis lips Rafael sits ramrod straight beside him, hands folded, assessingas always And Pietro standsatattentionporingoversomedocument,everthedutifulsoldier.
After a loaded pause, Antonio speaks up "As I'msure you're all aware, our familyhas beenunder attackthe past few months.The Ferraros are onthe warpathtryingtochipawayatour territory."His voice is calm,butthere's steel beneathit. ThecommandingtoneofaDonusedtoabsoluteobedience.
"IsaywetryswayingsomeofFerraro'smentojoinus."IholdupahandtosilenceGiovanni'sscoffbeforeitleaveshis mouth "Hear me out We targetbusinesses alongthe borders ofour territories Recruitthose menbefore the areas fall fully underourcontrol."
Rafael's jaw clenches,thetendoninhis neckstraining "You'dhaveus allywiththosespineless rats?"Disgusttwists his mouthintoasnarl."MenwhobetraytheirownDonwillturnonusjustaseasily."
Finally Antonio gives a slight nod of approval that sets my pulse racing. "Perhaps so. But our message must be convincing RemindtheFerrarosexactlywhocontrolsthistown"
BeforeIcantalksenseintoRafael'sthickskull,Giovannileansforwardcasually "Iknow afew clubswecouldsqueeze along Park Street. That new one, Velvet, pulls in big cash for Ferraro." He shrugs, nonchalant as suggesting dinner plans. "Couldsendamessagehittingthemwhereitreallyhurts."
"Half those crooked bastards are on Ferraro's payroll now." I struggle to keep the annoyance frommy tone. Rafael is nothingifnotstubborn "Anylapseinjudgementcouldmeanheadlinenews Thenwe'llallbescrewed" Rafael slams his fistdownagain. Whiskeysloshes onto the polished tabletop. "Well whatthe fuckdo yousuggestthen, Lorenzo?WejustrolloverwhileFerraro'smenwalkalloverus?"
Inod "IhaveameetingtherewithCarlotomorrownight He'llcomearoundwhenIshowhimthebenefits" Fists clenchedonthe table,Rafael looks aboutreadytolunge across andstrangle me."Anddowe geta sayinthis plan you'vealreadyputinmotionbehindourbacks?"Venomdripsfromhiswords.
Rafael's fist slams into myribs, but I swingback, connectingwithhis jaw and knockinghimoff me. We tumble to the ground,tradingblows.
Stronghandswraparoundmyshoulders,pullingmeaway Pietro Istruggletofreemyself,buthisgripisironclad "Enough!" Antonio's booming voice fills the room and we both freeze, caught off guard by our brother's sudden intervention
"This is a waste of time!" Rafael shouts, throwing a chair against the wall in his anger "While you talk and scheme, Ferraro'ssoldiersareouttherechippingawayatourbusiness."
Antonio holds up a hand. "Isaid enough. Iwill nottolerate this kind ofbehavior inmypresence," Antonio says sternly, glaringatusboth "Youaregrownmen Actlikeit"
FinallyAntonio speaks, eachword resonatingwithauthority "Verywell Send this Carlo a message he canappreciatefollow the money. Buttread lightly, or youriskprovokinga brutal response."His flintyeyes fixonme, intentclear. "Watch yourback,littlebrother Anddon'treturnemptyhanded"
Butitseems thatcuriositygoes bothways. Justas I'maboutto take the stage again, Inotice the mysterymanheaded to Carlo'stable,flankedbytwolargemeninsuitstryingandfailingtolookcasual.
Nowmyinterestisreallypiqued.
Ipicka spotbehind the curtainwhere Icanobserve withoutbeingseen. The manmoves witha self-assured grace and flashes an easy smile that probably charms his way into most ladies' good graces Judging by his confidence facing down Carlo,he'slikelyusedtobeinginchargeofaroom.
Their conversationis too hushed to make out fromhere But their bodylanguage tells enough The new guyleans back casually in the booth while Carlo adopts his usual imposing posture, stating his dominance. They trade what look like pleasantries,butanundercurrentoftensionradiatesacrossthetable.
BeforeIcangleanmore,thecurtainshiftsbehindme.IturntoseeAldo,theclubmanagerwho'sbeenheresincetheplace opened Hepointsaskeletalfingertowardthestageandmotionsformetogetbackstage WithaweaksmileIhurrypasthim, smoothingmydressbeforerushingonstage.
The mysterymanis backleaningatthe table, his talkwithCarlo forgottenand his keeneyes fixed onme as Iperform
Iturnto find Mr. Amber Eyes standingthere lookingdevastatinglysuave. He extends a hand adorned witha heavyring bearingastrangecrest
"Lorenzo. It's a pleasure." Up close he's evenmore striking- designer stubble, full lips curled ina slight smirk, sharp jawlinefordays Ifwewereinsomecheesyrom-com,thisiswhenthegirlypopsongwouldstartplaying
Something about this Lorenzo intrigues me as he waltzed in, unleashed that killer smile, then slipped away again, all mysterious-like AndIbarelyknowanythingabouthim,otherthanI'dliketoseehimagain Preferablywithoutthesuit IsnapmyselfoutofmydaydreamandrealizethatI'vebeenstandingbackstageforfartoolong.Theclubisclosingdown, andtheoncecrowdedspacehasnowemptiedout.
There is a group ofmeninsharp suits seated atCarlo's favorite table Carlo pulls outa bottle frombehind the bar and poursaroundofdrinkswhiletheotherslightcigarsandlaughloudlyatsomeunheardjoke.Myskincrawlswatchinghimplay gracioushost
I inch the curtain open just another crack, straining to make out their conversation across the deserted club. Carlo is proposingsomekindofdealinvolvingincreasedterritorythatsoundsmutuallybeneficial.Thelanguageiscoded,butIgather onefactionwillgetprimeaccesstointernationalshippinglaneswhileanothertakescontrolofthetruckingbetweencitiesand highways.
Carlo emphasizes discretion, sayingthe Ferraros can'tcatchwind ofit Thatpiques myinterestevenmore - ifCarlo is going behind his boss's back making deals, it means someone has designs on taking over. And from what I know of the Ferraros,coupsdon'ttendtobebloodless
Just then I notice one of Carlo's men stationed outside the bathrooms straighten up as a figure emerges. He nods in deferenceasCarlo'scousinJamesemerges.IrecognizehimasthepersonwhohandlesthemoneyforCarlo'srackets.Hemust beheretobrokersomethingwiththisnewgroup
Iwatchwithhorror as James freezes for a moment, thentries to lunge for Carlo's gunhand ButCarlo is too quickand trainedforthistypeofconfrontation.HeeasilydodgesJames'attemptandpullsthetrigger.
Iamfrozeninplace, unable to move or screamas Iwitness this brutal massacre unfold before myeyes. Whenit's over, therearebodieslyingeverywhere-somestilltwitchingwhileotherslaystillandlifeless
Carloturnstowardsmewithacrazedlookinhiseye.
I amcertainthat he will come for me next. Unable to containmyfear, I release a strangled screamthat feels like it is comingfromsomeone else It's as ifI've detached frommyownbodyand amwatchingmyselfscreamand cryfromabove TearsstainmycheeksasIwaitfortheinevitable.
Shakinguncontrollablyas I tryto process what just happened, I finallyregainmysenses. Carlo is stridingtowards the backstagearealikeapredator.MyheartisracingasIturnonaheelandrunintheoppositedirection.
TheacridreekofstalecigarettespunchesmeinthenoseasIdescendthedimstaircaseintoNickyMarconi'sunderground haunt.Iswallow backacoughfromthechokinghazestill lingeringdownhere.This is Nicky's place,soIhavetoplay nice.
ThinkingofNickybringsmebacktoawinternightthreeyearsago,onethathadcementedagrudgingrespectfortheman It was a time of turmoil for myfamily; we were under the gun, bothfigurativelyand literally, bya rival faction. I had been cornered,ayounghotheadwho'dbittenoffmorethanhecouldchew
As Irested, Nickyhad come in, his face obscured inthe dimlight, the glow ofhis cigarette castingeerie shadows. He didn'tgloatordemandimmediatepayment Instead,heofferedasimplenod,anunspokenagreementthatIwasinhisdebt,but notinthewaythestreetsusuallydemanded.
Nicky chuckles, the wet rasp of a lifelong four-pack-a-day smoker. "Of course, of course. Information's always my business"Hegesturesacrossthetable "YourememberFrankie,Vinnie,LittleSal" Igivethemenacursorynod.FrankieandVinnieareNicky'sregulars.ButthisSalI'veneverseenbefore.Imakeamental notetofindoutmoreabouthimlater RightnowI'vegotmorepressingshittohandle Nickyscoopsuptheworncardsanddeals,thosebonyhandsofhisstilldeftfromdecadeshandlingcardsandmoney.We sitintensesilenceafewbeatsbeforeNickybreaksit,fishingasalways.
As Nickyleans backfor a smoke break, Islowlysip the muddyblackcoffee, focusingonthe bitter tanginstead ofthis shithole'sstench.Iwaituntiltheotherplayerswanderofftowardtheboozebeforemakingmymove.Notimetobeataroundthe bushtonight
The fucker justchuckles, shufflingthe cards again "Oh, justthatsome ofFerraro's made guys won'tbe talkinganymore afterlastnight.NotsincetheirlittlemeetingatLaRosa."
Iforce a darkchuckle, playingitcasual while mythoughts churn. This slimyfucker doesn'tknow the halfofwhatwent downlastnight.ButhisintelconfirmsCarloisweavingliestotheFerraros,andtime'srunningouttogetmyversionstraight. Ileanforwardintently."Anythingelseyou'veheardfloatingaroundmightshedsomelightonthismess?"
Iletoutasigh,justwantingtogetoutofthisplacealready “WhatisitNick?” “Ican’tgive youanynames, butword is thatthere is a spyinyour house. Someone inyour inner circle workingfor the Ferraros”Hestubsoutthebuttofhiscigaretteinanashtrayandwipeshishandsonhispants “Yourfamily’sgettingscrewed frombothends,myfriend.”
SteppingoutofNicky's hole intothenightair is like comingupfor air Ilighta cigarettetoclear outthe stenchclinging insidemynose,mymindchurningoverthisnewintel.
Iflickthesmolderingbutttothepavement,resolvesteeling Somehow IhavefindthissingerbeforetheFerrarosdo Get herversionfromthesourcetoclearmyname.Andmaybe,justmaybe,avoiddrowningthecityinriversofblood.
The bitter liquid scalds mythroatgoingdown. Icrave the burn, needinganythingto distractfromthe chillingmemories floodingmymindonrepeat Carlo’scrazedeyes Thebloodsprayinginasickeningmist Theheavythudofbodieshittingthe floor.
I squeeze my eyes shut, fighting back tears. How could I have been so stupid and naïve thinking I could just collect a paycheckandnotgetpulledintoCarlo'sschemes?NaïvetobelieveIcouldavoidbeingstainedbyhisrotandmakeagraceful exit.
I'mtoo scared to go backto myapartment and too broke to leave the city How longcanIhide out indiners like this, sleepingonsubwaytrains?
Unless thebackexit It’salongshot,butmyonlychance Islipafewcrumpledbillsontothetableandslideoutfromthe booth.Themantensesbutdoesn’tmovetointerceptmeyet.He’swaitingsohedoesn'tmakeascene.Ineedtomovenow. I speed walk across the diner, struggling to seem casual. The tap of my shoes reverberates like gunshots across the checkerboard linoleum. Grippingthe push bar, I slammyshoulder into the metal door. The cold night air revives me as I stumbleintoafilthybackalley.
Ibackawayslowly “Whatdoyouwantfromme?”MyvoicecomesoutshakierthanIintend Salchucklesdarkly.“Ithinkyouknow.Thebosshassomequestions.Nowwecandothistheeasyway...”Hereachesinto hiscoat Thegleamofmetalmakesmybloodruncold “OrIcansoftenyouupfirst” I spot a pile of wooden pallets propped against the alley wall ahead. It’s not much cover, but it’ll have to do. I bolt, slippinginapuddleofsomethingfoul ThecrackofSal’sgunmakesmyearsringbutmiraculouslyI’mstillonmyfeetwhenI
The driver’s side door is blessedlyunlocked still Ithrow myselfinside, groaninginpainas the gear shiftjams into my ribs.Notimetoworryaboutinjuriesnow.Islamthedoorjustasthepassengersideisyankedopen.
Withaguttural cryIswingitwithall mystrengthintomyattacker’stemple.Hiseyesroll backandhecollapsesontothe pavement. Ireward myselfone shakybreathbefore throwingthe car into gear and flooringit. Bullets pingoffthe trunkbut somehownonebustatire ThecarfishtailswildlyasIscreechoffintothenight,leavingnothingbutpitchblacknessinmyrear view.
I white knuckle the wheel, every muscle tensed for the next attack as I race through the sleeping city Carlo has eyes everywhere so I stick to empty side streets and industrial areas. Only once downtown's glittering high rises and bustling nightlifearefarbehindmedoIfinallystarttobreathenormallyagain.
Whenthe behemothsilhouette ofthe abandoned trainstationemerges throughthe darkness, Ipull the stolencar into the shadows.Withshakinghands,IwipedowneverysurfaceIcanthinkof,thenplungethetireironintoanearbystormdrain.No senseleavingCarlo'smenanymoreofatrailtofollow
The rustydoor gives waywithsome force. Igritmyteethagainstthe ear-splittingcreakofmetal, frozeninplace as the echofadestosilence.Whennoonecomesrunning,Iexhaleandstepintothedustygloomoftheabandonedtickethall.
Mostofthe massive windows have beenbusted outlongago, leavingonlyjagged teethofcolored glass clingingto the edges.ShardscrunchundermysorefeetasIscanforsignsoflifeandfindnone.Onlymyghostlyreflectionstaresbackinthe fracturedremainsoftheglass
Iconsider callingouttohim.HelooksclosetomyagewhenIwasaloneonthestreets.Butapproachingastranger now wouldbereckless,nomatterhowmuchIwanttohelp.Ashepassesme,Ishrinkbackintotheshadows,envyinghisanonymity.
Once the echoes ofhis footsteps fade, Ishoulder mybagand glance bothways downthe deserted platform. Now is my
chance to slip awayunnoticed. Idouble checkfor signs ofanyone else stakingoutthe station, butfind none. Wherever they expectedmetogo,itwasn'there.Smallblessings.
The cold autumnwind hits me like a slap as Istep outside Igasp, arms pricklingwithgoosebumps The sunis already hanginglowoverthecityskyline,daysgrowingshorteraswinterlooms.
Mygripis irononthe wheel as Isize upRuby She's plasteredagainstthe door like she wants tobail evenwhile we're moving.Herfistiswhite-knuckledonthehandle.I’mhalfconvincedshe'lljumpsoonerorlater.
Mytouchseems to breakthe spell She steps inside It's sparse bed shoved inone corner, table and chairs inanother Clothesrackononewall,vanitystrewnwithmakeupontheother.
Rubycrosses to a tinydesk She rifles throughthe drawers and pulls outa thickjewelrycase Inside lies a simple gold chainwithasinglecharm ateardropblackonyx,darksurfacegleamingwithallure.Atitsmostfragilepoint,threepristine pearls.Theonyxabsorbslightwhilethepearlsrefractit.
To anyone inthe life, this necklace is far more thana simple piece ofjewelry. It's a badge ofhonor, a silentclaim. The intimatebondbetweenamademanandhisgumar,hismistress.Nomeretrinket,butatokenanymafiosowouldrecognize. ThisiswhatRubyriskedeverythingtoretrieve
Ithitsmethen Rubywassomeone'sgumar.Could'vebeenCarlohimself,oranotherFerraro.Andnowshe'srunningfrom them
Ikickthe door shutjustas bullets rip throughit. Iwrenchthe handle hard, snappingthe lock. Rubycowers as Iflatten againstthewall Bulletsthunkintothedoor,theframeexplodingintosplinters
I grab Ruby's hand, yankher up. We hurl ourselves throughthe window, downthe ricketymetal fire escape. The alley belowisdarkandempty,butCarlo'screwwillbeonusanysecond
We scramble downfast as we can, the structure groaningand creakingunder our weight. Don't lookdown. Don't stop. Thirdfloor Secondfloor Almostthere
The penthouse is like nothingI've ever seenbefore Floor-to-ceilingwindows provide panoramic views ofthe glittering cityscape,whileplushrugsandsleekmodernfurnitureadorntheopen-conceptspace.
Lorenzo's eyes soften. His thumb caresses my cheek tenderly. It would be so easy to lose myself in his arms, to seek comfortinhisstrength ButIresist,pullingaway "Thankyouforhelpingme.Butrightnow,Ijustwanttobealone,"Imumble,eyescastdown.
Lorenzonodsthoughtfully "I'msorryforyourloss It'snevereasylosingaparent" I look down at my hands, picking at a fingernail. "You probably think I'man idiot or naive for getting involved with someonelikeCarlo Butyoudon'tknowwhatit'sliketobealone Icouldhavedonemuchworse"
Lorenzo reaches over and places a warmhand over mine, stillingmyfidgeting. "Idon'tthinkyou're anidiotRuby. You weretryingtosurvive."
Atfirst,heseemstakenaback.Butthenherespondswithequal fervor,histongueexploringmymouth.Hishandscupmy face,fingersthreadingthroughmydamphair.Theintensityofourpassionthreatenstoconsumeusboth. I pull back, breathless. "Lorenzo, I need you," I pant, voice thickwithdesire. I need somethingto make the world feel normalagain.Andeverynerveismybodyseemstocomealivenexttothisman.
"PleaseLorenzo,Iwantthis Ineedthis"Iwhisper,mylipsbrushingagainsthisear "Helpmeforget,justfortonight" Mywordsseemtobreakhisresolve.Ipullhisheadcloseandkisshimagain,desperatefortheescapeonlyhecangiveme. Lorenzo responds witha growl, his hands grippingmyhips. He lifts me easilyand lifts me onto the table, the few dishes scatteringtothefloor HemoansintomyhairandIarchmybackintohim,savoringthefirepoolinginmycore He unties myrobe, revealingmybare skinbeneath. I gasp as Lorenzo's lips trail downmyneck, his hands teasingmy nipples to hard points He licks and nibbles his waydownmybody, until his mouthis onmybreastand his hand is slides lower.
Lorenzodropstohisknees,hisbreathhotonmyinnerthigh.Hehooksoneofmylegsoverhisshoulderanddelvesbetween mylegs,his tongue findingmyachingcenter Icryout,myhands tanglinginhis hair as he laps atmycore Lorenzoslides a fingerinsideme,thenanother,stretchingme.Thepressurebuilds,mybodywoundtightasaspring.
Herisesandcapturesmylipsinasearingkiss,thetasteofmydesireminglingbetweenus Lorenzoshedshispantsinone swiftmotion, his cockstrainingagainsthis boxers. Ireachoutand stroke himthroughthe fabric, his lengththrobbinginmy hand Lorenzohissesthroughhisteeth,hiscontrolslipping
He grabs a condomfromthe nightstand and rolls it onquickly. I spread mylegs for him, mybodyachingto be filled. Lorenzoslidesinsidemeslowly,givingmetimetoadjusttohissize.
Lorenzo follows soon after, his release shuddering through him We collapse into each other's arms, spent and sated Lorenzopressesakisstomyforehead,hisbreathingragged.
"Ruby,thatwas "hetrailsoff,atalossforwords I smile, tracing circles on his chest. "Shhh," I whisper, not quite ready to come back to reality. "Let's just enjoy this moment."
Whatwas Ithinking? Did Ijustcompound one bad decisionwitha second? Sure, itfeltamazing Sure, mybodyis still buzzingdowntothetinglinginmyfingertips.
Butwhatthe hell did Ijustdo? Outoffear, IranfromCarlo and jumped rightinto the car and thenthe bed ofa mafia prince?Onewhojustlockedmeinsidesomekindofhiddenpenthouse for my protection Ihavetogetoutofhere.Now,whileLorenzoisasleepandcan'tstopme.
She fidgets with the silk sheets, avoiding my eyes After an awkward silence, she responds softly, "Last night was a mistake.Amomentofweaknesswebothregret."
Ruby's eyes flashbutshe stands her ground."Youwon'tkeepme here againstmywill."Her voice rings withconviction despitetheslighttrembleofherhandclutchingherrobe.
Seeingthat little sparkof fear sends a headythrill throughme I step closer, mylips skimmingher jawline "Who said anythingaboutagainstyourwill?"Ipurr."Youcan'tdenythisheatbetweenusstill." Icrushmymouthtohers,demandingandhungry Foronedizzyingmomentherlipsyieldintome
Pietro's face comes into focus, his expressionunreadable as always. "So the lounge singer is withyouthen. What's her name,Ruby?"Hisculturedtoneholdsnoaccusation,onlycaution
Inodwearily,scrubbingbothhandsdownmyface."Yeah,her.ShewitnesseditallandCarlotriedtoghosther." Pietro's mouth thins into a grim line. "Yet you hide her away instead of handing her to Antonio? Protecting this girl yourself?"
