o those who knew how to recognize it. Sofia Martinez, dressed in an elegant black cocktail dress that had cost the FBI more th

as Vincent Romano's primary rivals. The Benedettos clustered around the hors d'oeuvres table, their politician-smooth smiles hiding decades of corruption and mu

ntial candidate, accepting congratulations on his son's engagement while h

, resplendent in a midnight blue tuxedo th

ng to do with her hands. Through her earpiece, she could hear Agent Torres c

er wavering as he nodded to various guests. "Because everyone in this room

forced herself to smile graciously. "T

er arm, his touch warm even through her

-eight, Dante's father radiated the kind of quiet menace that made hardened criminals nervous. His silv

ps in a gesture that managed to be both courtly and threatening. "Welc

." Sofia allowed just enough nervousness to color her voice-a sheltere

is smile revealed perfect white teeth. "Tell m

tails while their wives discussed charity work and their bodyguards watched for threats. "It's... impress

ment. "Don't worry, my dear. You'll learn to naviga

anger, despite the deception, despite the fact that she was surrounded by some of the most dangerous

ed. "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention. Tonight we celebrate more than just an engagement

s exchanging meaningful looks, and realized this alliance was shi

f standing before New York's most powerful crime bosses while pretending to be someon

ed. "Roberto Castellano's shipping connections and territorial control, combined with our

g, and political corruption across the entire Eastern seaboard. Sofia memorized face

er. "May their marriage be long, prosperous, and bl

drank. Carlos Torrino, Vincent's primary rival, barely touched his lips to his

o meet the new addition to their exclusive club. They were perfectly coiffed, expensively dressed,

wife of underboss Tony Benedetto. "That dres

ial events that masked the criminal world's business dealings. She played the role of sophisticated newcomer perfec

which families were feuding, which alliances were strongest, which individuals seemed most vulnerable t

a brief lull in conversation. At twenty-five, Isabella had her family's dark eyes and sharp intellige

a replied carefully, sensing that Isab

. "Or are they just being polite because yo

ected something, or if she was simply testing the new family member'

ell me, what made you decide to return to America? Uncle Ro

versation. "Family obligation. Uncle Roberto needed someone he

o sacrifice your indepe

," Sofia said carefully. "Your brother see

ange things, you know. Move the family toward legitimate businesses,

" Sofia agreed. "But so

t Sofia glimpsed the woman beneath the mafia princess facad

abella Romano, and hated the knowledge that her investigation would ultimately dest

protective hand on Sofia's lower back, and she felt an unwelcome thrill at the

iolence made even hardened criminals nervous. If anyone would be looking for signs that this engagement was

r across the ballroom toward a cluster of men whose ex

the kind of smile that never reached his eyes. He was surrounded by lieutenants who watched the room with profe

th of his. "What a pleasure to finally meet Roberto's mysterio

le her mind raced through possible responses. "Uncle Roberto has always been protec

ly. "Tell me, how is your dear uncle? I haven't spok

ecking whether she knew recent details about Roberto Castellano's acti

mentioned it's been affecting shipment schedules." Sofia gently extracted her hand from Car

union situation has been... challenging for everyone. Yo

ce reports about Roberto Castellano's history of intimidating union l

de Sofia like a guard dog. "Your fiancé is fortunate to be gai

alliance, which would significantly damage Torrino family interests. Sofia

t," Sofia said carefully. "I hope all the f

y often requires difficult choices, Miss Castellano. Som

blems," Dante interjected, his voice carrying a warni

for territory," one of Carlos's lieutenants

the kind of moment that could explode into violence without warning. Every man in their c

her fictional European education, "surely tonight is for celebration, not business d

y, recognizing that a woman-even a mafia princess-had just prevente

tely right-tonight is for celebrating your engagement." He raised his champagne

nd tighten on her back. "That was well handled," he murmu

upposed

if our families unite. Proving you're not suitable for m

olitical concerns about her identity. The way he'd questioned her about Robe

l do the families know each other's

ck of everyone else's family members, associates, weaknesses." D

out Uncle Roberto's recent activities

nversations, including everything you said and did." Dante's smile was reassuring, but his words se

mily was now investigating her background, how long before someone discovered inconsistenc

d happen to h

, demonstrating the perfect combination of intelligence and deference expected from a mafia princess. Bu

nals in America, pretending to be someone she wasn't,

e truth, she would die befo