na

the bedroom w

set and stared at the rows of bespoke

testament to my

vanity and opened t

family had provided. The blood

ece and sent them to my undergro

nstruction: "Liquidate everything and

gut this penthouse down to bare concrete th

dinged with a socia

ublic statement to our entire syndi

urgent overseas assignment, the wedding is delayed

ng screen and let out

ait to play t

private text from

lping her store some luggage at my mom's place. It's too late

o reply with a single word. I

left to care abo

thing I saw on my social feed was

white hotel bathrobe, he

s handing her a

ere was a fresh

read: "New

a mutual Associate ask

a winking emoji:

ew it wa

d was a highly distinct,

o kiss t

e my stomach churn w

t from Lucia l

some things to talk about. Make a lot of good food

craved home-cooked meals, she

e used to ad

as exactly like she

at history, wiping her exis

e private dining room of a high-end café

one was already

powerful head of the Falcone Famiglia. A man who repr

im, keeping my spin

g away all the hypocritical pleasantries

na R

le that vibrated right t

ng time for your mother

f, Mr. Falcone," I stated, my ton

m aw

leaned

er drifted across the space between us-a

back to my eyes, deep with an un

wait three years fo

will be my wife. And no one will

drawn in by the absolute, unque

sealing a pact that would chan

o the cool night breeze, my phone screen li