ella

The images from Vincenzo's tablet were burned into the back of my eyelids. I needed caffeine

ble countertops made it look more like a high-end operating room than a home. Mrs.

ee, Mrs. Gable," I s

ate porcelain cup instead of a mug. "Mr. Moretti left strict instructions before he depart

his house, Vincenzo's word dic

Gable dead in the eye, walked over to the marble sink, and tipped the cup over. The pale l

nt defiance. I set the empty cup on the counter and walked out w

eniable proof to kill the last pathetic, hopeful part of my heart. My eyes landed on the heavy, encrypted satellite

up the receiver and press

. Then, a wom

and entirely too comfortable. Giuliana Gal

orce a sound out, a high-pitched, che

n I have m

His *Pri

photos was one thing, but hearing them-hearing the domestic bliss of his secret family wh

my door shatter

. Downsta

the grand foyer, her sharp bob perfectly styled, her expensive sui

ith disdain. "It's a security protocol. You are co

He knew I wa

ything," I said, ke

off your pathetic family's debts. You will never get the respect of a *Mafia Queen*, so stop acting like one." She leaned in, her voice dropp

my only weakness-ignited a bli

cracked across Silvana's face. The slap echoe

ing to her rapidly reddening cheek,

my voice trembling but laced wit

in her eyes, before turning on her hee

he retaliation would be swift. I rushed to the oil painting of the Sicilian coast, pulling it aside to

cold metal dial of the safe, my

as an automated text

unt has been frozen by th

ood draining from my face as the true ho