ella

ugh the silk of my dress like acid. I gritted my teeth, refusing

broken not by an apology, but by t

r chair, not to check on the woman whose skin was blistering, but to cradle the boy who had thrown the bowl. Sh

kin to dab at the mess on the table. "Leo, oh my

ion blurring slightly from the shock. "Stop making a scene, Isabella. It is a little hot water. A woman's sk

mbing the fire in my arm. *Made to endure.* That was all I wa

dical bag in hand. Sofia must have summoned her the moment the so

asked, her eyes darting bet

d, waving a hand dismissively at me. "Che

gry red welt spreading across my hand. "

order, Doctor

man who had stolen my husband. I straightened my

ass. It was low, devoid of emotion, and absolutely final. "You are paid by

outrage, but Dr. Bianchi didn't hesitate this time.

se, Mrs.

rning to my maid. "

lace!" Nonna screeched, her authority

or flanking me like a praetorian guard. I left them in the wreckage

by a wave of nausea. I leaned heavily against the wall just

ofia whisper

moment,"

m, voices rose. The

offspring into our home, and you have alienated the one woman whose money keeps these lights on! A Don provides, D

f course. It was al

e wrong

s deeper, da

a traitorous reactio

at usually preceded violence. "We do not raise Moretti men to be weaklings who

ause, heavy a

the door and into my spine. "She is the *Mafia Queen* of this family. She has do

f the wall, signal

tle he owned. *Mafia Queen.* A piece on his chessboard that had

for the first time in months, the Don had drawn a line. And I wondere