Chapter 1

Julian and I are fraternal twins.

He uses a fake last name. I use our mother's maiden name. We look completely different. Nobody knows we're related.

I tortured him for twelve years at a top-tier Upper East Side prep school. Julian finally broke.

He got his Ivy League acceptance letter. He teared up. "I'm finally free from this demon!"

I leaned against the doorframe. I slowly sipped my Negroni.

My pathetic twin actually thought he was free. It was hilarious.

Julian muttered to himself. He trembled with excitement. "I'm going to college. Starting a new life. No more—"

"No more what?"

My voice dropped the room's temperature.

Julian went pale. He almost dropped the letter. Marco, our family bodyguard, took one look at me. He bolted from the room like he'd seen a ghost.

"S-sister? What are you doing here?"

"Just checking on my sweet little brother." I walked in. I savored that familiar fear in his eyes. "Let me see the letter."

"No, this is my—"

I shot him a look.

He let go instantly. Good boy.

I took the paper. I pretended to read it. Then I pulled an identical acceptance letter from my purse.

"You mean this one?"

I sat on his bed. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Julian drop to his knees.

"No... impossible..." He practically wailed. "There's no way! I applied to twelve schools! You couldn't possibly—"

"Of course I could." I crossed my legs. "I spent my entire summer on this. I used the family's dark money. I donated a new building to the board. I even sent the family lawyers to 'visit' the admissions director. We made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Did you think it was hard?"

I took a sip of my bitter drink. "Besides, how could I let my favorite toy run away?"

"Why!" Julian screamed at the ceiling. "Why won't you let me go!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Because torturing you is fun. Twelve years of prep school, and you never disappointed me. Now we have four years of college to keep playing."

Seeing him sprawled on the floor in total despair put me in a great mood.

"But..." I dragged out the word. "I'm not a monster. On campus, we pretend we don't know each other. I'll be the Manhattan old-money heiress. You be the average rich kid."

Julian looked up. A tiny spark of hope flashed in his eyes.

Naive little thing.

"But in private..." My smile widened. "You're still my personal slave. Always."

...

I wasn't lying.

First day of classes. I stood outside the sorority house. I soaked in the envious stares.

Custom Tom Ford suit. Flawless Graff diamonds. Lethal Louboutin red-bottoms. Every detail screamed power.

Not far away, Julian stood with his roommate.

I didn't say hi.

That roommate was Silas Romano. He was interesting. Six-foot-three. Broad shoulders. Narrow waist. His dark shirt stretched tight over raw muscle. Pale skin paired with sharp, cold Sicilian features. He oozed intimidation.

Nobody talked about his background out loud. But rumors flew. They said he was a "Fixer" for a ruthless crime family. The kind of monster who kicks down a rival’s door at midnight and leaves no survivors.

Julian saw me. He immediately looked away. That made Silas stare at him.

Silas dropped his voice. "What's up, man? Is that the girl you're crushing on?"

Julian's voice cracked in pure panic. "No! I'm not! Shut the fuck up!"

Silas sighed in relief. "Good. A lethal guy like you needs someone docile."

Julian suddenly stopped. He glared at Silas. "Who the hell says she isn't perfect?"

Silas froze. He was completely lost by his friend's outburst. "I didn't say she wasn't perfect. I just said you need someone docile..."

"I'd burn the Commission down for Seraphina! I won't let anyone talk shit about her. She is my religion!"

Julian looked fiercely devoted. He looked ready to take a bullet for me on the spot. If he hadn't secretly glanced at me for approval, I might have swiped my black card and bought him a Rolex as a reward.

Silas took a step back. "Whoever you are, get out of my best friend's body right now."

I couldn't watch this anymore. I pulled out my phone and texted Julian.

[That's enough.]

[Understood! Don't listen to him, Queen. You will always be the most perfect woman in the world to me ]

I sent him five thousand dollars. I told him to get lost.

[Long live the Queen! I'll take my leave!]