Chapter 14 – Bloodlines

• The storm had rolled in just past midnight—low thunder growling across the Italian sky like some ancient beast awakened from its slumber. Alina stood by the wide window in the master suite, her gaze unfocused on the windswept hills of the estate. The air was heavy with the scent of rain and something else—restlessness.
• Luciano hadn’t come to bed.
• It wasn’t unusual. Since their wedding, he often disappeared at night, always returning before dawn, cold and composed, as if whatever he did while she slept was none of her concern.