ella

voice steady despite the terrifying weight of his glar

a silent warning that I w

necessary for my survival. "He plans to publicly dishonor me, and by extension, the Don who arranged the union. To marry him now would be

peration. She stepped forward, her hands clasped. "She is offering Damien a loyal wife. A chance to

gaze snapped back to me. He saw the political advantage instantly. By tying the last Falcone to his cr

pping with contempt. "Fine. The decree is made. You will marry Damien. But know this-w

ed, bowing my head to hide the dan

pped, leaving behind a bitter, biting chill. The moment I step

e cobblestones, his hand resting dangerously on the grip of his holstered pistol

mall crates wrapped in

I asked, my bl

t it to mock you, *Signorina*. To tell the world that a Falcone without a powerful husband is nothin

t I was broken. They thought I was a powerless orphan

said, my voic

Signor

. "On the day Leo Gallo marries his precious Angelica, we will have these crates ret

shifting into a dark, understanding respe

curled in the leather armchair beneath our father's portrait. I

ced to the room, "I am

been holding. Luca let out a terrified sob and sc

is small frame shaking. "He's a mo

e lion)," I whispered fiercely, forcing him to look into my eyes. "I will not die. I swear it on our parents' graves. I will live, an

announcement, absolute Omertà. If the Gallos learn I am taking the do

morrow, we go to the tailor shop on Fifth Avenue. Luca needs a new suit for the w