Chapter 2

Alexander sat at the head of the long mahogany table, nursing a glass of scotch, his expression unreadable. He was flanked by his Capos and the Consigliere.

And there was Sophia, perched right beside him. Her eyes were rimmed red, playing the part of the traumatized little bird to perfection, clinging to his arm as if she were made of fragile glass.

When I burst in—blood-soaked, disheveled—Alexander’s grip on his glass tightened so hard I thought it would shatter. For a split second, a flicker of raw concern flashed in his dark eyes before he masked it with ice.

"Ivy," he warned, his voice low and dangerous. "You are injured. Go to the infirmary. We are in a meeting."

He was giving me an out. A chance to leave before the sharks smelled blood.

But I couldn't leave.

My legs gave out. I collapsed to my knees, my voice raspy and broken. "Boss… please. The mission failure… it’s my fault. You can take my life. Kill me if you have to. But please, I’m begging you, don’t send Lily to Luca. She’s innocent!"

Alexander’s jaw clenched, a muscle feathering in his cheek.

He looked at me with a heavy, exhausted resignation. "The decision has been made by the Council, Ivy. The Camorra demands blood for the insult."

Before Alexander could speak further, Sophia chimed in, her voice dripping with timid, feigned sweetness.

"Ivy, we lost hundreds of millions of dollars. My father is furious. If Alexander doesn't offer a significant tribute, it means war. Besides, my brother Luca has taken a liking to Lily. It’s a blessing for her, really."

A blessing? Being sent to be a sex slave for a psychopath is a blessing?

I stared at Alexander, tears finally spilling over, mixing with the grime on my face.

"Alexander, you promised me! Five years ago, during the street war in Palermo, I took a knife for you. You said you owed me a boon. You swore on your honor that you would grant me one request, whatever it was! I am calling in that debt now. Release my sister!"

Hearing my words, Alexander paused. He closed his eyes for a moment, the conflict visible on his face.

"That debt was to you, Ivy," he said, his voice straining. "Not to your sister. I cannot risk the safety of the entire Family for one girl. "

He was stating a brutal fact. He was the Don; the Family came first.

But Sophia saw an opening to twist the knife. A glint of malicious delight flashed through her eyes. She covered her mouth, letting out a soft, venomous laugh.

"Darling, since Ivy is so heartbroken over her sister, why not give her a chance? You know how Luca is... he gets bored easily. He’s hosting a high-stakes game at his underground casino tonight. He mentioned he needed a... centerpiece."

Sophia leaned forward, her eyes predator-like.

"If Ivy is willing to take her sister's place and serve as a nude croupier—if she can humiliate herself enough to keep the bosses entertained—I’ll tell Luca to let Lily go. How about that?"

A nude croupier…

The room went dead silent.

Alexander leaned back, a scoff almost escaping his lips.

He knew how proud I was; I would never agree to such a request.

He was waiting for me to refuse so he could dismiss her ridiculous idea.

But I thought of Lily. Helpless, mute Lily.

I dug my nails into my palms until they bled. I looked straight at Alexander, killing the part of me that had pride.

"I'll do it."

Alexander froze. The scotch glass in his hand cracked with a sharp snap.

Dark, violent fury flooded his face—not at Sophia, but at me.

"You want to do it?" he hissed, his voice dropping to a terrifying growl.

"Fine," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Since you are so eager to parade your body for those vultures, go ahead."

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at his blackened expression.

"But remember this, Ivy—you are still my dog. They can look… but they are not permitted to touch."