-roccosiffredi- | Linda Sweet- Alexis Brill - Roc...

He walked toward Linda, cupping her chin with a hand that had touched masterpieces. “But the real game,” he murmured, “is never about winning. It’s about what the losing reveals.”

And somewhere in the dark, Rocco smiled. The composition was complete. -Roccosiffredi- Linda Sweet- Alexis Brill - Roc...

“He’s always watching,” Alexis replied, not bothering to look at Rocco. “It’s his art. The composition of desire. He places people like chess pieces and waits to see which one breaks.” He walked toward Linda, cupping her chin with

Rocco stood, slowly applauding. “Brava, Linda. You see the fracture beneath the fresco. The game has a winner.” The composition was complete

They gathered in the library, a cavern of leather-bound first editions and shadows. Rocco sat in the high-backed chair, a lion surveying his court. Linda was first.

Linda’s breath hitched. Rocco smiled. “One point for Alexis.”