Chapter 3

I immediately shot back.

"There's no way I'm sleeping in a cardboard box!"

I'd gotten used to a ten-million-dollar mattress, sanitized and free of dust mites. How could I go back to sleeping on the hard ground?

"Besides, wouldn't someone charge you protection money under a bridge? Even if you sleep on the street, you have to find a spot where nobody makes you pay street tax. I checked. The homeless guys at an abandoned subway station in Queens stop charging after eight at night."

Nobody in the hall said a word.

Paolo's mouth hung open, and his fingers froze on his calculator.

Camilla looked at me like I was an idiot.

"Chloe, are you really this clueless, or are you faking it? If the family goes bankrupt, you won't get a cent!"

I muttered under my breath.

"I'm not getting any of the family's money now, either. And I've already put in $10,000 of my own."

No one heard me.

Just then, the heavy wooden doors of the hall swung open.

The council of elders had arrived.

Leading them was Antonio Bruno, a white-haired elder who'd fought beside Enzo for 30 years.

The moment he walked in, he took off his hat to Dante, before he'd even glanced at my best friend.

"Mr. Marchetti, sorry to keep you waiting."

Helena's heart sank.

"Uncle Antonio, what are you doing? You shed blood beside my father for 30 years to build this family!"

Antonio sighed.

"Helena, don't blame us. The family has tens of thousands of gunmen to feed and just as many families counting on death benefits. We'll kiss the hand of whoever can keep the crews alive.

"Camilla says that if she takes over and the Marchetti family puts up the money, we can keep our territory. Sign it. It's better for everyone."

A crowd of capos behind him chimed in.

"He's right, Ms. Rinaldi. As long as you're alive, there's hope."

"We can take territory back later. Once you're at the bottom of the ocean, it's all over!"

"Just take pity on us old-timers!"

They all spoke at once. They claimed it was for Helena's own good, but every word pushed her closer to ruin.

My best friend stood there, her back perfectly straight.

I knew that posture.

The more she hurt, the straighter she stood. She would never let anyone see her fall apart.

Camilla twisted the knife, all smiles.

"Helena, I'm not forcing you. This is just how things have turned out."

Before she'd even finished, my best friend's phone rang.

She answered, listened for a few seconds, and went white.

"What do you mean the brain bleed is back?... Okay, I'll handle it right away. Use the best ventilator you've got. Money's no object..."

She hung up, her fingers shaking so hard she could barely hold the phone.

Camilla leaned in at exactly the right moment.

"The old man's private hospital bills come out of the family account, don't they? Those accounts freeze at midnight."

Dante glanced at his watch and helpfully reminded her.

"It's already eleven, Ms. Rinaldi. You have one hour left."

My best friend closed her eyes.

In the corner, I clutched the copy of the wire receipt, my palms slick with sweat.

She can't sign it.

I couldn't read the whole contract, but I recognized the words "transferred free of charge."

If she signs, she won't get a dime.

I couldn't help speaking up.

"Um... actually, about the money for the smuggling operation..."

Camilla cut me off with a shriek.

"Chloe! Who said you could speak? You're a parasite from the slums. Do you even understand what a transfer of power is?"

"I don't."

I held up the wire receipt.

"This receipt says three billion dollars went into this Swiss account. But I'm the one who sent money to it, and I didn't..."

Antonio barked at me.

"Enough! What kind of nonsense is that?! Someone get her out of here!"

Two Sicilian bodyguards, both about six foot seven, came toward me.

My best friend's eyes snapped open.

"Don't you dare touch her!"

She strode over and stood between me and the bodyguards.

Then she pulled a vault key from the inside pocket of her coat and pressed it into my hand.

The metal key was still warm from her body.

"Chloe, the code is your birthday."

She spoke softly, as if these were her last words to me.

"I might have to go on the run. Take this. You'll be set for life.

"Eat whatever you want. Tomahawk steak, caviar, anything. Just stop lining up at the church for free meals.

"Once you walk out that door, don't look back. The driver's waiting for you in the garage."

I closed my fist around the key, a lump in my throat.

"Helena, actually, I..."

She didn't let me finish. She turned to Camilla.

"Once I sign, swear before God that you'll keep your word. You'll wire the money to the hospital, and you'll never come after Chloe again."

Camilla's eyes lit up, and she set the contract in front of my best friend.

"Of course. I always keep my word."