Chapter 9

• The weight of Victoria’s words still lingered in the air long after dinner had ended. The tension at the table had been unbearable, and Elena could still feel the invisible burn of eyes on her as she walked through the dimly lit hallways of the Russo mansion.
• She was heading to her room, desperate to be alone and process everything, but a sudden force yanked her back before she could reach her door. A strong grip closed around her wrist, spinning her around until her back met the cold marble wall. Her breath hitched, and her wide eyes locked onto the last person she wanted to be alone with—Lorenzo.
• His deep brown eyes glinted with something unreadable under the golden glow of the chandeliers. His lips curled in amusement as he took in her panicked expression.