ella

et table runner stretched across the mahogany wood, and the expensive silver cutlery was lined up with the precision of surgical sc

heavy sapphire necklace resting agains

suit immaculate. He didn't look at me, his e

my voice tight. "This dinner? The photo

he distance between us in two long strides. He raised his hand, his cold fin

of anything human. "The assets of the Moret

he heavy oak doors of the drawing room opened. My step

oment Vincenzo stepped away to pour a drink at the bar, she

" Lydia hissed, her eyes darting nervously towar

money, Lydia," I whisper

g with venom. "You are our lifeline! You are a *Collateral Bride*. Go beg him. Use your body, use your tears, do whatever it takes!

y gut. I looked at Lydia's greedy, panicked face and

ar. Vincenzo was watching Joseph, who was nervously wipi

voice trembling with a mixture of rage and exh

everything has a price, Isabella." He leaned in, the scent of bergamot wrapping around me. "Tonight, when the photographer arrives, you will play the ad

I was selling pieces of my soul just to

was thick enough to choke on. Vincenzo stood at the h

thly. "To the family bond, and above all,

beading on his forehead. He looked terrifi

even for a coward in the presence of a Don. As Vincenzo too

ocked my linen na

eavy velvet cloth, Joseph's phone screen was illuminated. My eyes loc

on the port deal? Text me

ped. G.G. Giu

stress. And Giuliana wasn't just after my title-she was orchestrating a move against the Moretti family

nzo raised his glass to me from across the table, expecting my submis