Don't Betray the Mafia Princess

My birthday party was over the top.Jonathan had shut down the entire underground high-end casino, laid out red carpets and fresh red and white roses flown in specially. Everything dripped with money.All the guests crowded around me, their eyes full of envy."Victoria, Mr. Thorne treats you so well!""I swear, you won't find a more devoted husband in all of New York."I stood at the top of the VIP balcony, smiling as I raised my champagne glass, listening to all the flattery. Inside, I felt nothing but cold contempt.Jonathan pressed up behind me and asked quietly, "Sweetheart, are you happy with everything tonight? As long as you're happy, it's all worth it to me.""Of course I'm happy." I turned around, smiling, and looked deep into his eyes. "And in return, I've got a gift for you too."Jonathan froze. Then his face lit up with surprise.He'd always dreamed of getting real access to the core of the Carpentier family's power. And he thought his patience was finally paying off.Then

Sienna showed up right on time. Nothing like the club. She wore a simple maternity dress, walked straight in, and sat down on the leather sofa directly across from me.She smiled like she owned the place."Sorry to bother you so late, Victoria."I took a sip of coffee."I think you should call me Mrs. Thorne.""Victoria—sorry. Jonathan doesn't want to hurt you."Sienna stroked her belly, beaming."But I felt like some things had to come from me. I'm carrying Jonathan's child. A boy."She was waiting for me to explode. To lunge. Something.I just leaned back against the arm of the sofa and said nothing.Sienna got antsy.She leaned forward, lowered her voice."Victoria, I know this is hard. You can't give Jonathan children. But I'm handling that now. Don't you think you should leave? Jonathan has that kind of empire. A woman like you can't stand next to him."Just like I thought. Jonathan told her I was the barren one.I set down my coffee."Let me ask you something, Sienna. Is Jonathan

Every eye in the room snapped to Jonathan.His face went white. He yanked Sienna's hand off him and hissed,"Sienna, what the hell are you doing? Get out! Get the hell out of here now!"The mob bosses and socialites started whispering."Is that his mistress?""My God, he just became a core member of the Carpentier family—"I walked over slowly and asked softly,"Sweetheart, what's going on? Who is this woman—"Jonathan's temple throbbed. He forced out a smile."Nothing, Victoria. A crazy woman. Mentally unstable. I'll have security drag her out—""Stop pretending, Jonathan!"Sienna cut him off, shrill, her eyes red as she looked at me."Victoria, we met in private at the hotel. Don't act like you don't know!"Jonathan's head whipped toward me, shock written all over his face."You two met?!"I let the hurt and the insult show right on cue. My eyes went glassy. My voice shook."Yes. Your mistress called me privately. We did meet. I wanted to leave you some dignity. I thought you'd handl

Jonathan froze for a second, then jabbed a finger at the screen and demanded,"Victoria! You got into my safe?! You went behind my back and dug through my accounts?!"I stood off to the side, hands folded, and said nothing. Long, dead silence."It's fake! All of it! She's setting me up!"Jonathan howled like a rabid dog, his voice scraping through the hall."Every piece of evidence passed through my hands."Uncle Luca rose slowly from behind the head table. Huge frame. Dark face. He toyed with the pistol in his hand and stared Jonathan down, cold."I don't mind your doubts. But if I prove they're real, you take double the punishment. How's that sound?"Jonathan's legs gave out. He hit the floor with a thud. All the arrogance drained out of him, leaving nothing but raw terror.Uncle Luca raised a hand and snapped twice.Eight men in black trench coats stepped out of the darkness, faces stone cold. Senior Carpentier guards.Their hard-soled boots hit the floor in heavy rhythm as they box