Chapter 3

I clutched the blanket around me and sank to my knees on the floor.

A dull thud echoed through the room.

A maid upstairs heard the noise and came to check. She gasped when she found me and hurried to help me onto the bed.

"Don't worry, Donna. I'll call the Don and the doctor right away."

I was drenched in sweat from the pain, but I grabbed her hand. "Don't!"

Realizing how alarming my reaction must seem, I steadied my voice. "It's late. It's just an upset stomach. I don't need a doctor. Just go to the medicine cabinet and get me some painkillers."

"But, Donna..."

"Do as I say!"

I rarely raised my voice. The maid flinched and did as she was told.

I warned her. "Don't tell Enzo about this. I don't want him to worry. And don't tell Ross either. If he finds out, Enzo will find out."

I fixed her with a hard stare. "Do you understand? If you can't keep this quiet, I'll have you dismissed tomorrow."

After she left, I sagged onto the bed, all my strength gone.

After a while, I forced myself upright and tried to see outside through the window.

The estate gates were already closed. The black sedan and Enzo were nowhere to be seen.

I picked up the phone. After a moment's hesitation, I dialed Sophia's number.

I came to my senses and was about to hang up when the call connected.

The other end was noisy, a tangle of voices and music.

As the Donna, I had attended countless events like that. I knew exactly what I was hearing.

My suspicions were confirmed, and bitterness spread through my chest.

After a long moment, she found somewhere quiet.

"Louisa? Why are you calling? Is something wrong?"

There was a faint edge of panic in her voice.

I opened my mouth. My voice came out hoarse. "Sophia, are you out right now?"

She started to deny it, but I cut her off.

"I'm tired. Could you tell Enzo we'll talk about that matter another day?"

Sophia rushed to say, "I am out, but I'm not with Enzo."

I glanced at the clock. "Forget it. It doesn't matter. It's late. I should get some rest."

"All right. Get some sleep. I'll come see you tomorrow."

Sophia hung up and returned to the banquet.

Enzo was deep in conversation with one of the Gallo elders. "You're right. The people causing trouble at the southern docks and the northern routes are the same group. We've taken a few of them alive, but they haven't talked yet."

The elder chuckled. "I owe you one for this. But I'm curious about something. I hope you won't think an old man is overstepping."

Enzo smiled. "You're too kind. When I first took over those southern districts, you went out of your way to help me. I have nothing but respect for you."

"I'm just wondering. These two areas see plenty of incidents every year. Why are you suddenly taking this one so seriously?"

The elder's smile faded. "The way I hear it, the damage to the Bianchi side was actually quite small."

"It's the Gallo family that took the real hit..."

The elder let out a sigh.

Enzo's smile didn't waver. He signaled a waiter and set down his glass.

"So you suspect me."

The elder gave a helpless smile. "You know I'm the last person who wants to see our families at odds. But this time..."

Enzo nodded. "I understand. The Gallo family is welcome to follow up on my leads, or start its own investigation. I have no objections. The reason I'm holding onto these men is that they're connected to another matter. A personal one. I'd rather not get into it."

The elder nodded. "Fair enough."

Sophia returned. The Gallo elder acknowledged her with a brief nod and left.

Enzo asked, "Was that a call? From Louisa?"

Sophia managed a strained smile. "Yes. She said she wanted to rest early tonight."

"That's probably for the best."

Enzo paused, then added, "She's probably not in the best mood lately. Be patient with her."

Sophia's smile was warm. "Of course. She's my little sister, after all."