Chapter 3

Grayson stared at me for a beat, then lunged forward and seized my chin. "Aria, what are you saying? You're my woman. You always will be."

He leaned in to kiss me.

A wave of revulsion hit me, and I shoved him away.

That only made him angrier. "Aria, you're so defiant. Lora would never push me away."

I took two steps back. "Oh? You've kissed her?"

"No, but we can fix that right now." Grayson pulled Lora to him and kissed her hard.

Bang. I slammed the door shut.

Once the world outside was sealed away, my legs gave out. I slid down against the door.

Seven years.

And this was all it amounted to.

On the other side of the door, Lora shut her eyes with delight, waiting for the kiss. It never came.

She opened her eyes to find Grayson glaring at the closed door.

I didn't wallow for long. I got back on my feet and started packing.

Our photos in the drawer, the little trinkets he'd given me, the love letters. I tore them all to pieces and threw them in the trash.

One by one, the things that held our memories were destroyed, and my heart grew quieter with each one.

The next day, I received word: the council would continue at a different estate. Everyone from the day before was required to attend.

When I arrived, a few women from the team were crowded around Lora.

"Wow, I've heard about this pocket watch. The Don made a big show of winning it at an auction two years ago. Said it was for his girlfriend. That's you, right, Lora?"

"So sweet. Lora, you and the Don have been together that long?"

"And during the shootout yesterday, the Don pulled Lora right into his arms. So hot!"

Lora covered her face in a show of shyness. "Oh, stop it. The Don told me not to say anything."

"You're wearing the watch. If that's not going public, what is?"

"Lora, that red velvet gown is worth tens of thousands of euros. Did the Don buy it for you?"

Lora nodded. "He did."

I paused.

I'd seen a red velvet gown in a shop window and loved it. I'd mentioned it to Grayson.

He said he'd buy it for me.

But the dress ended up on Lora.

At the time, Grayson had said, "Lora's an orphan. Giving her the gown shows the Family I value even ordinary members. It'll make them more loyal. Be a good girl, Aria. I'll get you something even prettier next time.

"She depends on you so much. She thinks of you as a big sister. You wouldn't be jealous of her, would you?"

What a fool I'd been. I actually believed him.

I downed a glass of wine and found our underboss, Dominic Russo, to tell him I was leaving.

Dominic sighed.

"Alright, Aria. If you want to go, go. Your rank has never matched your abilities.

"Seven years. Everyone who came up with you is in a top position now. Everyone except you, stuck as an ordinary soldier. I've brought it up to the Don multiple times. He always refused to promote you. Honestly, it's not fair."

I shook my head. "Forget it. I've made up my mind. Just don't let the Don find out."

"Done. Three days, and you're free."

A weight lifted.

On my way back, I passed a terrace and overheard voices above.

Grayson and Lora.

"Lora, were you the one chatting with someone at the cafe and leaking the location of our council?"

"I'm sorry, Grayson. That person was an old friend. I only said a few things."

"Because of you, we lost several soldiers!"

"What do I do, Grayson? You said you'd make me a probationary member of the intelligence unit. They can't find out about this. Help me, please."

Someone walked nearby. I pressed the button on my recorder and walked away.

Grayson was planning to put Lora in the intelligence unit?

The intelligence unit was a core division. Getting in was nearly impossible. It required at least three years as a probationary member.

It was the position I'd always wanted.

In just seven years, I'd made Grayson the Don, and I'd done it through my ability to gather intelligence.

But Grayson wouldn't allow it. He said the intelligence unit was too important, and transferring me there would make people suspect there was something between us.

Lora had been here two years. She had no accomplishments to her name. And she was getting a probationary slot.

What a joke.

By the time I got back, the council had just started.

The mood in the room was grim.

Grayson addressed the crowd. "Yesterday, our secret estate was breached because someone leaked our location. That person is most likely Aria."

What?