Chapter 2

Matteo's expression faltered. He reached into his jacket pocket again.

He opened his palm with a smile. "I brought you a present. You're going to love it."

The clip in his hand came from the same brand as Isabella's, but this one was only cheap faux pearls on a metal clasp. My heart felt as though a high-velocity round had blown it apart.

He had actually bought Isabella the real gift and handed me the freebie that came with it, just to rub my face in it.

I lifted a hand to knock it from his palm, but Isabella snatched it first and pressed it into mine. "It really suits you, Aurora."

I closed my fingers around it and met her smug gaze. "It does."

I watched them leave, hurled the clip into the trash, and could not stop the tears spilling down my face.

Five years earlier, Matteo had spent every cent of his savings at an auction on a diamond bracelet for me.

I had scolded him for losing his mind and spending so much on a useless bracelet.

He had only clasped the hand that wore it, looking pleased with himself. "Aurora, you deserve the best of everything. When I become Don, you'll stand beside me as my Donna. I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."

Now, he had forgotten the promise entirely.

I dialed a number. "I've made my decision. I'll go south with you."

A low laugh came down the line. "You spent ten years helping Matteo claw his way into the Don's seat. What changed?"

I did not answer. After a moment of silence, he laughed again, smugger this time. "Or did Matteo decide he doesn't want you as his Donna?"

I leaned back into the sofa and lit a cigarette. "I'm the one who no longer wants to be his Donna."

When I woke the next morning, Matteo was gone. The suit he had worn the night before lay draped over the living-room sofa. The black case he carried on trips sat by the door, with his holster laid on top of it.

I had always taken care of everything that belonged to Matteo myself. I had never left any of it to our housekeeper, Marta.

That morning, I simply did not want to anymore.

I looked over at Marta, who was clearing the dining room. "From now on, you'll clean and maintain Matteo's things. I'll send you the care instructions."

Marta froze. "Mrs. De Luca, didn't you say his life depends on—"

I cut her off. "I'm not Mrs. De Luca. My name is Aurora."

Marta took the hint. She fell silent and gathered up Matteo's things.

I took out the pistol I had cleaned the night before, slid it into its holster, and clipped it at my waist.

I had planned to leave my criminal past behind once I married Matteo, then settle down as his wife and raise a family.

Now I knew the pistol was the only thing I could rely on, and the only thing I wanted to take with me.

That evening, Matteo called. "I have a business dinner tonight. I'll be back late. Don't wait up."

I glanced at the meal Marta had cooked, my finger resting on the screen. "All right."

After I hung up, Isabella sent me a video.

In it, Matteo sat at my father's left hand and Isabella at his right.

My father raised his glass, his voice thick with pleasure. "From now on, we're truly family."

Matteo said nothing. He tipped his head back and drained his glass. That was answer enough.

My hand shook around the phone.

He knew exactly how deeply I hated my father, yet he had sat down at the same table with him for Isabella!

Then a text from Isabella appeared. "Aurora, Matteo doesn't need you anymore."

Large tears struck the phone screen. "Fine. Message received."