Chapter 2

The Mancini and Cecil families had always been enemies. Sanchez of the Mancini family had been a thorn in my father's side for years. Whatever he wanted now, it couldn't be good.

I was right. Explosions erupted outside, punctuated by gunshots.

The villa's windows shattered under a hail of bullets, and panic swept through the hall.

The panicked crowd shoved me backward. As I turned to look for cover, my father roared, "Everyone in the Cecil family, protect Valentina with everything you have!"

My father stepped back to shield Valentina. All twenty-four bodyguards closed ranks around her until no one could get through.

More family members joined the circle at his command, forming an impenetrable wall around him and Valentina.

But my father didn't spare me a glance. He hadn't said a word about protecting me.

I stood frozen, as if an invisible hand had tightened around my heart.

In that moment of distraction, a bullet grazed my calf. My knees buckled, and I crashed to the floor.

The searing pain made it almost impossible to stand. I forced myself to lift my head and look at my mother, who stood right beside me.

"Mother, it hurts..."

My hands shook as I tentatively reached out and gripped the hem of her dress.

She looked down at me without a trace of concern in her eyes. Her gaze slid past me as she wrenched the hem from my grip.

"Are you still trying to cause trouble? You've been stealing from Valentina since I carried you both in my womb, and now you're blocking her escape. Cecilia, fend for yourself!"

With nothing left to hold on to, I lost my balance. The back of my head struck a pillar. My mind went blank, and the ringing in my ears drowned out even the gunfire.

I watched her step over my body without looking back and run straight for the ring of guards.

Another blast shook the villa. The crystal chandelier tore free of the ceiling and crashed toward me.

I closed my eyes. I didn't have the strength left to move.

But the impact never came. I was yanked aside and pulled into a warm embrace.

I opened my eyes in shock and met a frantic gaze.

Lorenzo.

"Why didn't you move? That crystal chandelier almost crushed you."

Lorenzo held my hand as he checked me over from head to toe.

"It's only a graze. Let me bandage it for now. I'll take you to a doctor as soon as we get out. Can you walk?"

I stared at him and forgot to answer.

Mancini shells kept raining down. In the chaos, I'd assumed Lorenzo had found somewhere to hide or joined that impenetrable ring of guards.

"You... didn't leave with them?"

I opened my mouth, but my voice came out hoarse. Lorenzo scooped me into his arms.

"You're my wife. I should protect you.

"My car is parked out of sight. Do you want to come home with me, or go with them?" Lorenzo asked.

I blinked and looked past his shoulder toward Valentina.

My parents, their treasured daughter Valentina, and the family members around them were retreating in an orderly group toward the safe passage.

Not one of them looked back at me.

My eyes burned. A single tear slipped from the corner of my eye and fell to the floor.

I closed my eyes and buried myself in Lorenzo's embrace. The last hope I'd held for my family vanished amid the gunfire.

"Take me home, Lorenzo."