Chapter 23 The Web Beneath The Blood

• Rafael’s gaze didn’t leave Isabella’s face. His sister sat slouched against the sofa’s edge, her mascara smudged from sweat, but the defiance in her eyes refused to fade completely. The storm outside beat against the villa’s tall windows, each clap of thunder marking the seconds of silence between them.
• “You’ve told us half, Rafael said, voice low and edged with warning. “Now you’re going to tell us everything.
• Isabella’s fingers trembled as she reached for the glass of water Valentina had set on the table. She didn’t drink it just twisted it between her palms as if the motion could keep her steady.