es

" Mom questioned, referring to the

njoy the little spare time I had,

s up to date with everything going on aro

id hit the jackpot when she m

then, her credit card declined, and Dad was there to save the day—but don't get it twisted.

ear satisfaction on my face. A smiling Alessio wasn'

everything kept moving this way, I wouldn't hav

in mind, and that's why I decided to confess my false feelings

ld be man

but also the Mayor, various associa

ople standing be

conscience, he would take

eving a word I said. "Are you excited

much false enthusiasm into my voice as

e's imposter behavior, but as the wife of Dome

ouldn't want me to marry a maid. She would vouch for me, t

ked down at my six-year-old sister, Melody, standing with her hands on her hips a

enough personality to fill a room and k

after Melody and her friend just long eno

stop bullying someone old enough to be your daughter, Ales

ng her when she s

e had been my rock, my person, my everything. Her word was th

of cigarettes. Before I could light it up, M

r sunglasses. "You can smoke that crap on the balcony," she s

ys good to know someone around here cares about m

obeyed her words and he

bserved my view. From this height, I could see Gian, walking aroun

everything even slightly illegal was put on hold. Domenico Fanucci had spoken and decided that making ou

terrupted by the soft

xi

a white suit tomorr

m Maxine. Then I locked my phone instantly, but not without an eye roll. I stifled a laugh. She

e, belonging to none other than Dante.

ere the maids were working. Dante brushed his shoulder

ma

his eyes and ended a

greenhouse. Her long dark ponytail swayed side to side

abou

better look at her, I mean you've got to adm

ching Jimena. No lies were told,

bit too inve

ded. "We're all investing, p

r. "Here," I handed him my cigarette, wa

d. He played it off, knowing we would all tease him for his rare taste in women—but the denial was

lder, earning a puz

he looked utterly confused. "Whatever is going to happen, you

ut?" Dante carried a curious look,

thi

ng, trying to clean the high windows. I almost fel

rything tomorrow, I would even

ena

of who she really was. She was a mouse, shy and quiet

terrogated her, she never once questioned my motives

already considered the worst-case but least likely scenario, which would be my un

I would move o

ntil the whole family got sick of her—which wo

ggested. "Celebrate your last ni

stion. As fas I was concerned,

All you need to do is show up," Da

not g

You should rethink that. After the engageme

further, cleaning the windows. "I can assure you, Dante

r stop being