Dec. 26, 2024
Frost and Fire: (Xmas episode 4 of 4) - "Winters Fire"
On a glittering Christmas morning in Aspen, Lucia and Gabriel execute their dangerous plan to take down the Winters crime family once and for all. As the Petrov exhibition becomes the backdrop for an elaborate sting operation, Lucia must confront her...
On a glittering Christmas morning in Aspen, Lucia and Gabriel execute their dangerous plan to take down the Winters crime family once and for all. As the Petrov exhibition becomes the backdrop for an elaborate sting operation, Lucia must confront her former fiancé Alexei in an intimate dance of seduction and betrayal. The passion between Lucia and Gabriel reaches its peak as professional triumph leads to personal revelation, their cat-and-mouse game finally evolving into something deeper and more dangerous than either expected.
In this steamy finale, all masks come off as Lucia chooses between her criminal past and a future with the man who hunted her across continents only to fall in love with his prey. Christmas ends with more than just justice served, as Gabriel offers Lucia a different kind of proposition – one that promises a whole new kind of adventure, sealed with sapphire instead of stolen diamonds.
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:11.759
Calarogu Shark Media, Hello and welcome to Romance Weekly. This
2
00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:16.559
episode is titled Frost and Fire, Episode four, Winter's Fire.
3
00:00:25.079 --> 00:00:29.000
Christmas morning dawns clear and cold in Aspen, sunlight turning
4
00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:32.880
fresh snow to diamonds, fitting given what's at stake today.
5
00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:36.640
I stand in front of my mirror, adjusting the red
6
00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:39.159
silk dress that will either be my triumph or my
7
00:00:39.240 --> 00:00:44.719
funeral attire. The Petrov Exhibition opens in six hours. The
8
00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:47.799
Winters will be there, every last member of my former family,
9
00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:52.280
expecting to destroy me. They don't know about the FBI
10
00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:56.000
teams in position, about the evidence already transmitted from Geneva,
11
00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:00.920
about Gabriel. You look dangerous, his voice from my doorway.
12
00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:04.719
I meet his eyes in the mirror, remembering how those
13
00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:07.359
same eyes had burned last night, when he'd mapped every
14
00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:10.480
inch of my skin with his mouth, whispering plans and
15
00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:14.480
promises in the dark. I am dangerous. I turn to
16
00:01:14.519 --> 00:01:19.239
face him. His tux fits perfectly, concealing both weapon and badge.
17
00:01:19.719 --> 00:01:24.239
Having second thoughts about trusting a thief, he crosses to me,
18
00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:28.280
hands settling on my hips form a thief, still a liar,
19
00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:32.640
still beautiful. His mouth finds that spot below my ear
20
00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:36.680
that makes me shiver still mine. The word shoots heat
21
00:01:36.760 --> 00:01:40.799
through me. Last night had changed everything. Every touch of confession,
22
00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:44.079
every kiss a promise, every moment of pleasure a seal
23
00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:48.840
on our dangerous alliance. Ready to end this, he murmurs
24
00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:53.280
against my skin, ready to begin. His smile curves against
25
00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:58.000
my throat. Merry Christmas, Lucia Frost let the games begin.
26
00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:07.599
The Summit Ridge Ballroom glitters like an ice palace, crystal chandeliers,
27
00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:11.439
silver decorations, and in the center, the Petrov collection, displayed
28
00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:16.439
in bulletproof cases. Every surface reflects light, making it impossible
29
00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:19.280
to hide, which is exactly what we're counting on.
30
00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:21.199
They're here.
31
00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:24.560
Gabriel's voice comes through my hidden earpiece as I circulate
32
00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:29.919
among the guests north entrance, all of them. My heart stutters.
33
00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:33.719
As they enter the entire Winter's family. Alexey in the lead,
34
00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:37.719
devastatingly handsome in a black tux, His father Victor, silver,
35
00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:41.400
heead and deadly. His sister Katya, who taught me everything
36
00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:46.080
I know about seduction and deception, who taught me too well, Lutia.
37
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:53.719
Alexey reaches me first, taking my hand, his kiss on
38
00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:59.759
my knuckles, burns like frostbite. You look breathtaking. That was
39
00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:03.080
the idea last time, wasn't it. My smile is sharp,
40
00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:08.520
Take my breath permanently. His laugh is genuine. That's what
41
00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:12.120
makes him dangerous. Everything about him is real, even his
42
00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:16.599
desire to kill me. Dance with me, he says, already
43
00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:21.680
pulling me close for old time's sake. Across the room.
44
00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:24.879
I feel Gabriel's tension, but this is part of the plan.
45
00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:28.560
Get close, stay close, let them think they have me
46
00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:33.120
exactly where they want me. Alexey's hand slides lower than
47
00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.120
proper on my back as we move to the music.
48
00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:39.560
I've missed you, moyas Nazhenka, my snowflake, his old name
49
00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:43.439
for me, missed me I arch into his touch playing
50
00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:46.759
my part, or missed what I took. His fingers dig
51
00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:51.240
into my hip. Both his mouth brushes my ear. We
52
00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:54.879
could still fix this, you know, come home, return what's ours?
53
00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:58.159
Be mine again. For a moment, I remember why I
54
00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:02.759
almost married him, the heat, the danger, the absolute certainty
55
00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:06.000
of belonging somewhere. Then I remember Gabriel's taste on my
56
00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:09.639
tongue this morning, his promises in the dark, his truth.
57
00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:13.800
I was never yours, Alexey. I pull back just enough
58
00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:18.360
to meet his eyes, and I'm done pretending his grip
59
00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:23.519
tightens painfully. No pretending his smile is winter cold. Then
60
00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:26.839
let's be honest. In exactly three minutes, my sister is
61
00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:29.920
going to trigger the fire alarm. In the chaos, Father's
62
00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:33.720
men will take you, and this time his lips brush
63
00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:36.839
my ear, This time will make sure you never leave again.
64
00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:41.720
Interesting plan. I press closer, letting him feel the small
65
00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:44.720
device strapped to my thigh. Did Marcus tell you the
66
00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:50.160
rest about the FBI? About Geneva? He stiffens. You're bluffing,
67
00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:56.000
am I. My hand slides inside his jacket, a lover's caress.
68
00:04:56.040 --> 00:04:59.399
That's really a search for weapons. Check your phone, Darling.
69
00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:03.879
The file should be arriving right now. His phone vibrates.
70
00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:06.199
I feel it against my hip as we turn to
71
00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:10.680
the music. While you're reading, I breathe against his cheek.
72
00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:14.399
Remember that night in Paris when you almost caught me?
73
00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:18.279
What about it? I wasn't running from the FBI. My
74
00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:24.079
lips graze his jaw. I was running to them, understanding.
75
00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:26.439
Dawns in his eyes just as the fire alarm blaars,
76
00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:31.160
but instead of chaos. The ballroom doors lock smoothly instead
77
00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:34.319
of panic. The guests step back to reveal tactical teams,
78
00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:39.240
and Gabriel, walking toward us, badge out, Hello, brother in law.
79
00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:42.199
I smile, or should I say almost, brother in law.
80
00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:45.920
Alexey's hand goes for his gun, but I'm faster. The
81
00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:48.879
device on my thigh isn't a weapon. It's a taser.
82
00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:53.199
He drops like a stone as Gabriel reaches us. You
83
00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:56.279
enjoyed that too much, Gabriel says, but his eyes are
84
00:05:56.279 --> 00:06:00.240
hot with approval. You have no idea. I step over
85
00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:03.639
Alexei's body into Gabriel's arms. Though I did learn my
86
00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:07.079
best moves from him, all of them. His hand slides
87
00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.519
possessively down my back, want me to demonstrate the difference.
88
00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:24.639
Hours later, after the arrests and the statements and the congratulations,
89
00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:28.319
I stand in my workshop watching snowfall. The winters are
90
00:06:28.399 --> 00:06:32.839
in custody. The Petrov exhibition continues undisturbed, and.
91
00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:34.399
I, having regrets.
92
00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:38.800
Gabriel's arms slide around me from behind, his touch sending
93
00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:44.040
electricity through my silk dress. About betraying my family, No,
94
00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:47.800
I lean back against his chest. About letting an FBI
95
00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:52.079
agent into my bed. Maybe his laugh rumbles through me. Liar,
96
00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:55.079
his teeth graze my neck. You've been letting me in
97
00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:59.519
since Monaco. Monico was different. I turn in his arms.
98
00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:00.759
Monaco was just pleasure?
99
00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:01.480
Was it?
100
00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:05.319
His hands find the zipper of my dress. Tell me
101
00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:08.040
what it really was, Lucia, Tell me why you chose
102
00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:12.120
me that night. The dress pools at my feet as
103
00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:15.160
truth spills from my lips. Because you saw me, not
104
00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:17.920
the thief, not the jeweler, not the perfect daughter. The
105
00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:23.360
Winter's wanted, just me. I see you now. His mouth
106
00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:26.800
traces fire down my throat. All of you prove it.
107
00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:32.439
He lifts me onto my workbench, scattering diamonds like stars
108
00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:37.360
with pleasure. What follows is pure heat, his hands mapping
109
00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:41.560
territory that's now rightfully his, my body arching into every touch.
110
00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:44.560
He takes me apart with the same precision I use
111
00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:49.279
on precious stones, finding every floor, every perfect angle, every
112
00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:50.959
place that makes me shatter.
113
00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:53.360
Mine.
114
00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:57.720
He growls against my skin. Not a question this time, yours.
115
00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:04.639
I gasp as pleasure builds all aways yours later, much later,
116
00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:07.199
we lie tangled in the cashmere throw I keep in
117
00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:12.319
my office outside Christmas lights twinkle through falling snow. Inside
118
00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:15.680
his fingers, trace patterns on my bare back. What happens now,
119
00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:19.519
I ask, watching diamonds glitter in the dim light. Now
120
00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:23.000
he pulls me closer. Now we do things legally. You
121
00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:25.839
help the FBI track stolen artwork. I keep you out
122
00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:30.600
of trouble boring. His laugh shakes us both trust me love.
123
00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:34.559
Nothing about being with you could ever be boring. I
124
00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:37.759
prot myself up to look at him and us. His
125
00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:40.720
kiss is the answer, deep and sure and full of promise.
126
00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:44.879
Us is just beginning, though I do have one condition,
127
00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:50.600
which is He reaches into his discarded jacket pulls out
128
00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:54.840
a small box inside a ring glitters not diamond but sapphire,
129
00:08:55.320 --> 00:09:01.000
deep blue, like secrets, like trust, like truth. Marry me,
130
00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:04.159
he says, for real this time. No masks, no games,
131
00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:06.639
no running. I look at the man who hunted me,
132
00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:10.639
court me, freed me at the ring that promises a
133
00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:14.440
different kind of adventure. Yes, I whisper against his lips,
134
00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:19.720
but I'm keeping their handcuffs. His growl of approval is
135
00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:23.000
drowned by the sound of Christmas bells ringing in endings
136
00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:28.879
and beginnings. Outside, snow continues to fall, covering everything in
137
00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:32.759
pristine white, a clean slate, a fresh start, a new
138
00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:36.519
game with rules. Will write together, and this time I'm
139
00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:50.399
not playing to win. I'm playing for keeps.
140
00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:56.879
Romance Weekly is a production of Calaroga Shark Media Executive
141
00:09:56.879 --> 00:10:01.120
producers Mark Francis and John McDermott. Portions this podcast may
142
00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:03.279
have been created with the assistance of Ai
143
00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:11.120
Calaruga Shark Media
1
00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:11.759
2
00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:16.559
3
00:00:25.079 --> 00:00:29.000
4
00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:32.880
5
00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:36.640
6
00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:39.159
7
00:00:39.240 --> 00:00:44.719
8
00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:47.799
9
00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:52.280
10
00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:56.000
11
00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:00.920
12
00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:04.719
13
00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:07.359
14
00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:10.480
15
00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:14.480
16
00:01:14.519 --> 00:01:19.239
17
00:01:19.719 --> 00:01:24.239
18
00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:28.280
19
00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:32.640
20
00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:36.680
21
00:01:36.760 --> 00:01:40.799
22
00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:44.079
23
00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:48.840
24
00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:53.280
25
00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:58.000
26
00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:07.599
27
00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:11.439
28
00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:16.439
29
00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:19.280
30
00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:21.199
31
00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:24.560
32
00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:29.919
33
00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:33.719
34
00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:37.719
35
00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:41.400
36
00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:46.080
37
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:53.719
38
00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:59.759
39
00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:03.080
40
00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:08.520
41
00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:12.120
42
00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:16.599
43
00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:21.680
44
00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:24.879
45
00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:28.560
46
00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:33.120
47
00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.120
48
00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:39.560
49
00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:43.439
50
00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:46.759
51
00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:51.240
52
00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:54.879
53
00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:58.159
54
00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:02.759
55
00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:06.000
56
00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:09.639
57
00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:13.800
58
00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:18.360
59
00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:23.519
60
00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:26.839
61
00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:29.920
62
00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:33.720
63
00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:36.839
64
00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:41.720
65
00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:44.720
66
00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:50.160
67
00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:56.000
68
00:04:56.040 --> 00:04:59.399
69
00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:03.879
70
00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:06.199
71
00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:10.680
72
00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:14.399
73
00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:18.279
74
00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:24.079
75
00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:26.439
76
00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:31.160
77
00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:34.319
78
00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:39.240
79
00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:42.199
80
00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:45.920
81
00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:48.879
82
00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:53.199
83
00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:56.279
84
00:05:56.279 --> 00:06:00.240
85
00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:03.639
86
00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:07.079
87
00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.519
88
00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:24.639
89
00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:28.319
90
00:06:28.399 --> 00:06:32.839
91
00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:34.399
92
00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:38.800
93
00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:44.040
94
00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:47.800
95
00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:52.079
96
00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:55.079
97
00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:59.519
98
00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:00.759
99
00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:01.480
100
00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:05.319
101
00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:08.040
102
00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:12.120
103
00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:15.160
104
00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:17.920
105
00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:23.360
106
00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:26.800
107
00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:32.439
108
00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:37.360
109
00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:41.560
110
00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:44.560
111
00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:49.279
112
00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:50.959
113
00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:53.360
114
00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:57.720
115
00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:04.639
116
00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:07.199
117
00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:12.319
118
00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:15.680
119
00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:19.519
120
00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:23.000
121
00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:25.839
122
00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:30.600
123
00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:34.559
124
00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:37.759
125
00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:40.720
126
00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:44.879
127
00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:50.600
128
00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:54.840
129
00:08:55.320 --> 00:09:01.000
130
00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:04.159
131
00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:06.639
132
00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:10.639
133
00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:14.440
134
00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:19.720
135
00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:23.000
136
00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:28.879
137
00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:32.759
138
00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:36.519
139
00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:50.399
140
00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:56.879
141
00:09:56.879 --> 00:10:01.120
142
00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:03.279
143
00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:11.120
