Chapter 2

When Dante saw what was in the box, his eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing with the Donna's crest?"

I picked up the crest and held it out to Anna.

"Isn't the Don worried people will look down on Anna?

"There'll be plenty of guests tonight. If she wears the Donna's lion-head crest, no one will dare gossip behind her back."

Anna stared at it, greed flashing in her eyes.

But she didn't dare reach for it right away. She bit her lip and looked at Dante.

"That's Claire's token. How could I take it?"

Dante pressed his lips together. A long moment passed before he spoke.

"You're just borrowing it.

"Claire isn't that petty."

I took Anna's hand and pressed the cold crest into her palm.

"No need to borrow it.

"I never take back what I've given away."

Anna's fingers closed around it. Tears spilled down her cheeks again.

"Thank you, Claire."

She sounded grateful, but her thumb was already stroking the lion's ruby eyes.

It was as if she'd reclaimed a prize that had always been hers.

Dante's expression softened toward me.

"I'm glad you understand the position I'm in.

"Anna's had a hard life. I'm looking out for her because I owe her brother my life. It doesn't mean she can replace you."

I didn't respond.

I raised a hand, and the maid brought over a manila envelope.

Inside was a prenup.

Dante had signed it himself back then.

It said the Donna's lion-head crest and three casinos on Chicago's South Side would become mine on our wedding day.

I tossed the agreement onto the hood of the car.

"Since I gave Anna the crest, transfer the three casinos to me now as compensation."

The warmth in Dante's face drained away.

"What did you say?"

"The Blackwater Club, the Golden Diamond Roulette, and the Red Mill boxing club.

"Those three businesses bring in the steadiest cash. Their annual profits match the value of the shares that crest represents."

I pulled out the share transfer agreement I'd drawn up long ago.

"As long as the Don signs, my lawyer can complete the handover tonight."

Dante didn't take the pen.

"Claire, it's just a piece of metal. You're really going to haggle with me like this over it?"

"The Don's the one who asked me to give Anna a show.

"And I have.

"Now I'm just taking the compensation written in the agreement."

He stared at the transfer agreement, his jaw tight.

"You never used to fight me over money and power.

"Every piece of territory you bled to take, you handed straight over to the family.

"Now I take one crest, and you want to bite off three of my casinos."

Dante glared at me.

"Claire, when did you get so greedy and cold-blooded?"

For a moment, I was lost in thought.

When I was little, the jellyfish left me covered in scars. All I got from my father was one word: ruthless.

When I was a teenager, I was left with a permanently damaged shoulder. All I got from the elders was one word: loyal.

They'd promised me a share of the spoils if I kept being their obedient weapon.

Only later did I see the truth. Whatever someone else hands you can be taken back at any time, with interest.

That was how it was with family.

And that was how it was with love.

I didn't bother wasting words on Dante.

"If the Don can't bear to part with them, I'll take this lion-head crest back right now."

I held my hand out to Anna, palm up.

Anna went white and shrank behind Dante, her fist clenched around the crest.

Dante felt her trembling against him. He gritted his teeth, snatched the fountain pen, and scrawled his name at the bottom of the agreement.

"Now are you satisfied?"

I blew the ink dry and folded the transfer agreement.

"Thank you for your generosity, Don Rinaldi."

The sound of violins was already drifting from the front hall.

Anna changed into a white gown, the lion-head crest pinned to her chest, and the attendants escorted her into the master suite.

Dante still stood there, as if waiting for me to back down.

But I just stepped back half a pace and closed the carved wooden door for them.

"It's late. I won't keep the Don from comforting his new love.

"Enjoy your night. I wish you a long, happy life together."

The heavy door swung shut.

Dante's dark expression disappeared behind it.

Back in the side wing, I spread out my list of assets.

I crossed out the line for the ruby necklace in red ink.

I struck out the lion-head crest too.

Then, on the blank back of the page, I wrote three lines.

"The Blackwater Club."

"The Golden Diamond Roulette."

"The Red Mill boxing club."

Those businesses reeked of money, but you couldn't pin them to your chest and show them off.

Every day, though, they brought in bundles of cash.

And no woman's tears could make them slip into someone else's hands.