ppear into Manhattan traffic. He'd offered to have his driver take her back to her hotel, but she'd poli

ir world, paranoia

usin Marco's number. "It's me. I need you to run th

's voice carried amusement.

pts, employment history, travel documents, medical records, ev

uture wife? She must have

eillance teams positioned nearby. "She's not what we expected. Too educated, too worldly, too comfort

by morning," Marco promised.

years of surviving in a world where mistakes meant death, were screaming that something was wrong with Lucia

ed. "The question is whether she's dange

r disappeared until

nder family protection until the alliance is finalized. But put surveillance on he

Anythin

led when she laughed, and the unconscious grace with which she'd moved through the restaurant. "Yeah.

d transformed her into Lucia Castellano. The dinner had gone better than expected-Dante Romano was intelligent, surprisin

international criminal partnerships revealed the scope of Romano family operations, and his plans to in

zed with a message from

is suspicious but interest

probl

t three years hunting criminals without ever feeling personally drawn to any of them. But something about Dante Romano's combinati

t handle," she

but don't push too har

es walked hand-in-hand under streetlights. Tomorrow she would continue her masquerade, gath

he office for Special

mber Torres had established for Lucia Castellano's identity. Sof

nswering, injecting just enough slee

I'm sorry to call so

Sofia made her voice softer, more vu

sed, and Sofia could hear traffic noise in the background. "I enjoyed ou

t good

with a spoiled princess who would expect me to worship her designer shoes. I

compliment. "You weren't what I expected either.

aning violent a

hed methods." Sofia chose her words carefully, staying in character as a

by those that do." Dante's voice turned serious. "I hope you understand what you're

husband's world completely," Sofia replied. "Th

ther you're really w

ofia felt ice form in her stomach, but kept h

n a wife. But you're also completely unlike any other woman from our w

ch protest would seem guilty, but too little might se

t hours, I'm announcing our engagement to every major crime family on the East Co

gation reveals somet

arried a dangerous edge that reminded Sofia exactly who she was dea

r than terrified. "I see. So much for tr

derstand that-after all, you're trusting you

aid quietly. "

out not liking you. I meant what I said about enjoying our conversation. Bu

ful. "Of course not. Secr

me sleep. I'll call you tomorrow, and we can

d to it. Good

, Lucia. Sw

n the encrypted line. "We have a problem. Romano's r

r paper trail for six months. Birth certificate, school records, medic

who might have kn

years. No close friends, no romantic relationships, minimal contact with dista

tension leave her shoul

ind exactly what we want him to find." Torres paused. "H

do you

ive man who's showing romantic interest in you.

ring a simple cotton nightgown. She looked like Sofia Martinez again, but she

professionally,"

ho inherited one of the most violent criminal organizations in America. Get

stand th

you do, looking for any sign that you're not who you claim to be. One mistake, one m

ante's warning that secrets could be fatal. He had no idea how right he was-her

rget to be investigated-he was becoming a person she genuinely liked and respected. His desire to reform his family's operations, his

job infinitely

ther evidence of their criminal activities, and help the FBI build a case that would dest

, no matter how charming he might be, was

ginning to wish he was som