Chapter 1

"Lucas, listen to me. Get Isabella out of this house before Sophia wakes up. You know what'll happen if she opens her eyes and sees that woman here."

"Ma, I can't just throw her out. Vincent took a bullet meant for me. If he hadn't stepped in, I'd be the one in the ground. He's gone, and Isabella is the only family he left behind. I'm not leaving his widow out there with a target on her back. I'll talk to Sophia when she wakes up."

"You know Sophia. She won't see a widow. She'll see another woman in her house."

My eyes snapped open.

I went still.

Then the truth hit me.

I was back.

Ten years before everything went to hell.

None of it had happened yet.

This time, I would survive.

So would my family.

Anna, Lucas's mother, rushed to my bedside.

"Sophia, thank God you're awake. Don't worry, I've already made myself clear to Lucas. I won't let him bring another woman into your home."

"Ma, I've made my decision. Isabella stays under my protection."

"You ungrateful little—"

"Please... don't fight because of me."

A soft voice cut through the tension. Isabella stepped into the room in a plain mourning dress.

"I'm sorry. I never wanted to bring trouble to this house." She turned to Lucas, her eyes shining with tears. "Lucas, I know you're only trying to protect me, but I'm clearly causing problems for your family. I'll go. I don't want Sophia to hate you because of me."

She had barely taken two steps when Lucas caught her wrist and pulled her back.

"You're staying."

There was no room for argument in his voice.

I scoffed.

Only then did Lucas look at me.

"Sophia, I promise. Once Vincent's blood debt is settled, Isabella will leave. She can't be left alone right now—not while Vincent's killers are still breathing. She stays here for now. That's all."

I had lost control the last time.

I had ordered my father's men to drag Isabella out by the hair and throw her onto the street.

It only gave Lucas another reason to hate me.

I forced myself back into the present and spoke.

"Fine."

The room went dead silent.

Everyone stared at me like they no longer recognized me.

"I said fine. Tell Mrs. Russo to prepare a guest room for her."

"Thank you, Sophia!"

Isabella recovered first. She rushed forward as if she wanted to take my hand.

I flinched back, yanking my hand away.

This woman had already ruined me once.

I had no intention of playing nice with her this time.

"This is a Gambino house. We live by rules here. Break them, and protection or not, you're out of this house. Am I clear?"

I didn't wait for a reply.

I threw back the covers, got out of bed, and walked out without looking at any of them.

I could hear Lucas's men murmuring just outside the front doors of the estate.

"You think the boss's daughter is gonna let this slide?"

"Lower your voice unless you want to end up in the river. But come on. She's going to tear this house apart."

"Wait. We haven't heard screaming yet. What the hell's going on in there?"

"Miss Sophia is definitely planning something. Since when has she ever stayed quiet over another woman?"

I cleared my throat. Loudly.

The men stiffened at once.

I walked past them without a word, leaving them red-faced at the doors.