Chapter 2

In the end, Luca and Sofia made Victor go back to the house.

Once I was alone in my bedroom, I opened my encrypted terminal and entered a top-level security code.

Using the highest-level key, reserved for blood heirs, I submitted a request directly to the High Council for command of my own crew.

I chose Portopalo—the most lawless territory in Sicily, with the highest death rate.

Anywhere was better than here. I couldn't stand staying in this place for another second.

Ten minutes later, the system flashed green. Approved.

I closed the terminal and wiped every trace of what I'd done.

A moment later, Victor kicked my door open and stormed in.

"You've got some nerve hiding in here! Isabella, you will apologize to Sofia before tomorrow's banquet. She's a mess right now. Sofia went too far, but she was only trying to toughen you up so you could survive in this family. Everything she did was for the family. You have to forgive her."

I stared at him, and a memory from five years earlier came rushing back.

I'd been making my rounds through the south district when a rival family ambushed us. In the chaos, I got separated from my bodyguards.

A machete came swinging toward my shoulder. Before it could hit me, Sofia burst out of an alley, threw herself in front of me, and took the blow.

To this day, an ugly scar runs across her back.

I could still picture her face covered in blood as she clutched my hand. "Ms. Lombardi, my life is worth nothing. It wouldn't matter if I died. But nothing can happen to you."

That one act of loyalty had been enough. I went against the council and brought her straight into the inner circle.

The three of us became four.

And for years, I thought nothing had changed. Until I finally saw the truth.

For years, she'd used that scar—and the fact that she'd once saved my life—to slowly push me aside in the Lombardi family.

Victor opened his mouth again, but the meeting bell rang before he could continue.

A few minutes later, the council was in session.

Victor casually brought up the next day's plans. "The new underground armory opens tomorrow. I'll take Sofia with me to inspect the latest gear."

I was about to object when Carter Vance, the advisor with the highest clearance, turned to me.

"Isabella, that armory has always been in your name. You're going too. That's core territory you'll be running someday. Go down there tomorrow and show them who's in charge."

I swallowed my refusal and nodded.

Late that night, our group chat started blowing up.

Sofia sent two pictures of guns in a row, followed by a stressed-out emoji.

"Which one should I carry for the inspection tomorrow?"

Victor insisted on the MP7 loaded with armor-piercing rounds for its firepower. Luca argued for the Glock 19X, saying it was better for a woman who needed to draw and return fire quickly.

They argued about it for more than 100 messages.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Sofia finally cut them off with a voice message. "These are for Isabella. I want her opinion. Sweetie, don't be mad at me anymore, okay? I promise I'll never leave you behind without warning again. Let's make up."

I stared at the screen. Before I could reply, Luca's message appeared.

"Isabella, I'll let you get away with hitting me. But if you keep sulking, you're just being ungrateful! You shouldn't be angry with Sofia. You should thank her. Without her, would you ever have found the courage to fight your way out alone?"

A knock sounded at my door.

Victor stood outside, phone in hand, glaring at me.

"Luca doesn't know the first thing about guns! The MP7 I chose is obviously better. Isabella, I'm your brother, and I'm telling you to say so in the group chat right now!"

I glanced back down at the two guns on my screen.

"These guns..."

Then I looked Victor straight in the eye. "When did you get them on the black market?"

Victor was too busy texting Sofia to think before answering.

"This afternoon, at that private gun shop in the Old Town..."

The words were already out before he realized what he'd said. He froze.