Chapter 1

The voices leaking through the iron door of my famiglia's underground chamber nailed me to the spot.

"Half of the Valerinis' dock guards were reassigned last night. That's how the smuggled arms came ashore without a hitch. This single deal will keep our famiglia fed for half a year."

That was Angelina Aureli's voice.

"Why else do you think I call Isabella an idiot?" Sebastian Passini's laughter was thick with disdain.

He continued, "She's been under my thumb since we were kids. I told her my famiglia was being suppressed by yours, and she went against her own elders to hand me four million dollars.

"I told her I needed manpower. She reallocated her famiglia's dock's best soldati to guard my empty warehouse."

My hands curled into fists as the past month replayed in my head. I had challenged three elders at the famiglia meeting and silenced all opposition.

For him, I stayed up all night, helping him through his crisis. My heart had ached when I saw the shallow cut on his arm. I had even argued bitterly with my Madre, Camilla Bernardi, because I was convinced he had been driven into a corner.

"Aren't you afraid she'll find out?" Angelina asked, feigning concern.

"So what if she does?" Sebastian's laughter was as cold as steel.

"She loves me so much that she's willing to go against her whole famiglia for me. Once I get my hands on the Valerinis' resources, I'll get rid of her and that old hag. Then, everything here will belong to me!"

"What about me?" she pressed.

"Be patient." His tone softened, just a fraction. "Once Isabella is out of the picture, the Passinis and the Aurelis will be bound by marriage. Bellano's underground operations will be ours. What could you possibly want that you wouldn't have then?"

My blood ran cold. My fingers flew across my phone as I activated the highest recording setting. My Madre had taught me from a young age to gather enough evidence and strike the traitors with a single, decisive blow.

I spun on my heel and slipped down the dim corridor. The sharp click of my heels against the concrete did nothing to quiet the hatred churning inside of me.

After arriving in the garage, I climbed into my black armored sedan. As soon as I started the engine, I received a message from Sebastian.

It read, "The Aurelis are bothering me again, Bella. Could you send me another squad of elite soldati? I'm afraid they'll kill me!"

I stared at the lies on the screen, lips curling into a cold smile. I replied with a single word. "Okay." Then, I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat.

My famiglia's crest gleamed in the night outside my window. Caressing the Beretta at my waist, a single thought settled in my mind: I would make Sebastian and Angelina pay for what they owed me and my famiglia in full.

…

I didn't return to the villa and contacted my famiglia's IT department instead.

"I want a full sweep of all my communications with Sebastian over the last month. Flag all our famiglia's documents he's accessed.

"Then, fabricate a port deal and plant a tracker in it. I want him to think he won."

The director on the other end of the line responded respectfully, "Understood, Signora Valerini. It'll be done in half an hour."

I ended the call, stepped on the gas, and sped toward my famiglia's estate. There was someone I needed to meet—Matteo Rossi, Sebastian's sworn enemy.

It was time to start laying the groundwork.