Chapter 1

"Why are you just standing there? Don't hold up the wedding."

My father shoved me aside impatiently, then turned to Valentina with an almost doting smile.

"Valentina, put on your dress. It's time to go."

Valentina arched an eyebrow at me triumphantly and walked into the dressing room. When she emerged, she wore a stunning white couture gown and a crown.

I was still staring when my mother threw something into my arms.

"Change into that," she said on her way out. Then my parents whisked Valentina from the room.

I snapped out of my daze and looked down at the cheap fabric in my arms.

Valentina and I were identical twins. Why were we treated so differently? Was it simply because she was marrying Don Moretti's oldest son while I was marrying an outsider no Mafia family recognized?

My mother called impatiently from outside. I composed myself, changed into the dress, and went down to the villa's main hall.

The hall was packed with people. Valentina's twenty-four bodyguards stood behind her, armed from head to toe. The sight was staggering. Then they declared in unison, "We will serve you forever, until our last breath."

By contrast, I stood alone to one side, not even sure what to do with my hands.

My father cleared his throat.

"My darling daughter Valentina is about to marry Don Moretti's oldest son. Before I see her off to the Moretti estate, I'd like to say a few words.

"Valentina is my pride and the light of the Cecil family!"

My father could always command a chorus. The other members of the Cecil family echoed him, though they glanced at me with a hint of pity.

"Cecilia and Valentina are twins, but look at them now. They're worlds apart."

"Cecilia is just the freebie that comes with Valentina's wedding. Valentina has Don Moretti's favor now. Cecilia is marrying an outsider, and who knows how much Cecil blood her children will carry."

As I listened to their barely concealed mockery, what little color remained drained from my face.

An engine rumbled outside the villa. I looked up and saw Lorenzo arrive.

He was there exactly on time, holding a bouquet. I knew it was for me.

"Don't let him in," my father barked. Members of the Cecil family blocked Lorenzo at the door.

"Father!" I looked at him pleadingly.

But his eyes held only contempt for Lorenzo. "An outsider thinks he can walk through the Cecil family's front door with nothing but a cheap bouquet? He must be dreaming."

My mother rose with a contemptuous snort. "If you've come for Cecilia, use the side door. A girl who stole nourishment from her sister in the womb and a lowly bartender make the perfect pair.

"The front door of the Cecil estate will open only for Valentina's husband today."

The rest of the family joined in.

"Exactly. I've never seen such a shabby wedding party. I hear he's only a bartender."

"Hey, outsider. If you think marrying Cecilia will make you somebody in Sicily, you're dreaming."

Surprise flickered across Lorenzo's face. After a brief silence, he said, "No. I'm marrying Cecilia because I love her."

My father let out a snort of laughter.

Before my father could say anything else to hurt me, I gathered the skirt of my cheap wedding dress and hurried the last few steps to the door.

"Lorenzo, ignore them. Let's go."

He gave me a gentle smile and held out his hand.

"All right."

Before I'd taken more than a few steps, a voice boomed from the loudspeakers outside. "We hear that both Cecil princesses are getting married at the same time today. The Mancini family couldn't possibly miss such a happy occasion.

"Accept this wedding gift from Sanchez!"