Chapter 4

I had never imagined that someone would demand protection money from me on my own turf.

Enzo pulled out his phone and opened his banking app. "Eighty-six thousand dollars."

He held the screen up to my face. "Pay up and we'll pretend this never happened."

Bianca stood beside him, making no effort to hide the satisfaction on her face.

The commotion had already drawn a crowd from the surrounding buildings, but judging by their expressions, this kind of thing was nothing new to them.

A middle-aged woman from the building across the street caught my eye and said quietly, "Just pay him. His people really will throw you out."

Another neighbor looked on with the kind of amusement reserved for someone else's misfortune.

"You picked the wrong guy to mess with. Everyone knows Enzo Moretti runs this neighborhood."

I looked around at all the uneasy faces, then turned back to Enzo. "Does everyone who lives here have to pay you 50,000 in protection fees?"

Enzo scoffed. "Not everyone gets the privilege.

"I'm the Capo around here. Street patrols, neighbor disputes, business taxes... All of that falls under me.

"I handle your problems, so a little protection fee is the least you can do."

Bianca nodded right away. "Exactly. My boyfriend's even willing to take your money, and that's him doing you a favor. Just like how he lets you cook for me. You should be grateful."

I studied the two of them, then asked calmly, "What if I say no?"

The smile dropped from Enzo's face. "No?

"Let me spell it out for you. Tonight, the Don and the Principessa are coming to this neighborhood for a meeting.

"If I tell him there's an unregistered tenant causing trouble on our turf, you'll be out before sundown.

"Think it over. Eighty-six thousand dollars for peace of mind. That's a bargain."

Bianca's eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait, Enzo, the Don is really coming?"

Enzo nodded. "Of course. I got word this morning. The Don wants every person in charge of this neighborhood at the family's club by 9:00 pm. He and the Principessa are coming to inspect."

Bianca perked up immediately. "Enzo, do you know if the Don has a girlfriend?"

Enzo gave her a sideways look. "Why are you asking?"

She glanced away and tried to sound casual. "Just curious."

He narrowed his eyes and grabbed her chin, his voice turning sharp. "I'm warning you. Don't get any ideas.

"Don Vitale is known for being completely untouchable when it comes to women. He's cold and ruthless.

"If you offend him, you won't get anything out of it except trouble for me. And when that happens, don't expect me to save you."

Bianca quickly latched onto his arm and softened her voice. "Relax, I was just asking."

She said it was nothing, but her eyes were already darting around.

She clearly had not given up.

Watching her, I could not help but laugh. "Even if the Don were single, he wouldn't look twice at someone like you."

Her face twisted with rage. "What would some hick who cooks for a living know about anything? Pay the 86,000 right now, or once the Don gets here, it'll be too late to come crawling to me!"

I ignored her.

Enzo had run out of patience entirely. "I'll ask you one last time. Eighty-six thousand dollars. Are you paying or not?"

I met his gaze. "No."

Something dangerous flickered across Enzo's face. "Your choice."

He snapped his fingers. "Get this trespasser out of here."

Two of his Soldati moved toward me on command.

Before they could reach me, a voice cut through the crowd from behind. "The Don is here!"

Every head turned. A black SUV had pulled up at the curb.

My brother's right-hand man, Marco Benedetti, stepped out of the vehicle.

The entire street fell silent. The Soldati who had been closing in on me a second ago snapped to attention.

"Signor Benedetti."

"Good evening, sir."

Marco offered a brief nod in acknowledgment. His gaze swept over the crowd.

"What's going on here?"

Enzo hurried over, his face rearranging itself into an eager smile.

"Signor Benedetti, here's the situation.

"I just discovered an unregistered tenant in this neighborhood. She's been disrespecting my people and won't follow the rules around here.

" I was about to remove her so that she wouldn't cause any trouble for the Don and the Principessa tonight."

Bianca chimed in immediately, "That's right! She won't pay the protection fee, and she insulted the Don.

"She has zero respect for the family. Trash like her needs to be thrown out now!"

Marco's expression hardened. "What? Someone publicly insulted the Don? Take me to her."

Enzo turned back to the crowd with a triumphant look and pointed at me. "She's right there."

Marco followed the direction of his finger. His eyes landed on my face.

His eyes went wide, and his entire body went rigid. "Principessa?"