Leone took a careful step backward.
Aveline didn't move.
Distance meant very little to her. If Leone believed putting a few more feet between them would make her feel safe enough to speak, Aveline was perfectly willing to let her have that illusion.
"Is it one of your family's men?" Aveline pressed. "Judging by the past, I'd say corruption runs rather deeply in your blood."
She knew Leone still believed that Leveret had been carrying Lucien's child. Aveline deliberately twisted the knife, even though the truth was far more complicated. It had been Lucien's brother who had destroyed Leveret, not Lucien himself.
But then, why else would Leone be here?
"Do not dare drag my family's name through that filthy tongue of yours, witch!"
Aveline merely chuckled.
"Am I wrong?" Her gaze remained fixed on Leone. "Then tell me. Whom are you protecting this time?"
She tilted her head.
