Chapter 3

The next day, the Commission held a public awards ceremony.

It was one of the most important occasions of the year, and as the heir of the Blair family, I was invited.

Halfway through the ceremony, Damon was called to the stage.

He accepted an honorary medal, then waved at Serena in the second row.

Serena, in a gold sequined dress, rose and went up to stand beside him.

Damon took her hand. "I'd like to take this opportunity to formally introduce my girlfriend, Serena."

My fingers tightened around my clutch until my knuckles went white.

For two years, he'd kept our relationship secret, claiming it was for my protection. He'd never once acknowledged me in public.

Now, with every family in attendance, he was acknowledging someone else.

The crowd whispered.

[Damon's already swapped her out? Wasn't he with Layla before?]

[Did he and Layla have a fight?]

Damon had clearly heard them too. He leaned down and went on. "Layla is only my sister. Serena is my girlfriend.

"That said, if anyone bullies Layla, I'll put a bullet in him."

Sister?

So that was what our two years came to: he'd kept us a secret, then called me his sister in public.

Just then a notification came through on social media.

The results of Sicily's Most Dangerous Man of the Year were in. No one had any doubt who'd take the top spot.

In the photo, he wore a black overcoat and leaned against a stone pillar at his family's estate, one hand in his pocket and arrogance written all over his face.

Damon had been my childhood sweetheart. Nolan had been my rival since we were kids.

We'd fought over toys as children and docks and territory as adults. After more than ten years, neither of us had ever backed down.

Watching the two of them onstage with their fingers laced together, I decided to use Nolan's name to get rid of Damon for good.

I sent a friend a WhatsApp message. "Spread the word in our circle. Tell them I've had a secret crush on Nolan all along."