Chapter 2

I woke with a jolt.

"Chase... Could you get me a glass of water?"

My hand met nothing but cold sheets. Reality settled over me all at once. He was gone.

I stayed in my bed for a long time before the doorbell finally broke the silence.

When I opened the front door, no one was there. Only a paper takeout bag sat neatly on the doorstep.

A note was tucked beneath the handle.

I know you probably skipped dinner again.

No matter how angry you are... don't punish yourself.

The handwriting belonged to Chase.

I read it once. Then shut the door without taking the bag inside.

The kitchen felt strangely quiet. I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich.

Sienna used to complain every time I skipped a meal after work.

"One day your stomach's going to kill you before a bullet ever does."

I took a bite. Nothing tasted the way it used to.

The next morning, I drove to Moretti Global. Officially, it was one of the largest private companies on the East Coast.

Unofficially, everyone inside worked for the Moretti family.

The elevator doors slid open. Chase was already there. One hand tucked into his pocket. The other brushing a strand of hair away from Sienna's face.

They looked cute. The moment they saw me, their smiles disappeared.

I walked straight past them. Behind me, two Soldati lowered their voices.

"So the rumors are true?"

"The Young Don finally made his move?"

Chase walked out from the elevator and looked at me. "You got in late last night.I'll handle tonight's briefing."

"You should get some rest."

"No worries, I'll do it." I didn't slow down, " I’m pretty fine."

Chase Moretti was born into one of America's most powerful Mafia families. He'd grown up knowing he'd inherit an empire. I was the only person who had ever beaten him.

I still remembered the day I met Chase Moretti. We were wiping out a rival Family.

Gunfire echoed through the warehouse. Smoke hung thick in the air.

A burst of shrapnel tore toward me. Chase grabbed my arm and yanked me behind cover just before it hit.

The metal fragment grazed his shoulder instead. He looked down at the blood staining his sleeve, then flashed me that infuriating grin.

"So... You're Claire."

"I heard you're the Family's best sniper."

"Not for long."

I smiled. Then shoved him sideways.

A bullet whistled past exactly where he'd been standing.

"Try surviving today first," I said.

Between bullets and smoke, we slipped around each other with effortless precision.

Whenever the chaos pulled us close, our breathing mingled in the dark.

The air grew thick with heat, as though we were simply sharing a midnight waltz at a formal gala.

From that day on, every mission turned into a silent competition.

Everyone thought we hated each other. No one knew we'd been in love for five years.

No one...

Except Sienna.

After I rescued her from her husband, she'd spent months barely speaking.

I was the one who asked Chase for help. He arranged a position for her inside Moretti Group's Tactical Operations Office.

I thought giving her something to focus on would help her heal.

I never imagined... I handed them a chance to see each other every day.

At lunch, Chase and Sienna sat together. She noticed me first. "Claire..."

I paused. Only for a heartbeat. Then kept walking. I saw Chase gently pat the top of her head while quietly saying something, he made no concerns on me.

Before they left, Sienna placed a chocolate bar beside my tray.

I looked up. Sienna was already walking away. My fingers tightened around my fork.

When we were children, sweets was a luxury. I always broke chocolate bar in half and gave Sienna the bigger piece.

Years later, when stress destroyed my stomach and my blood sugar became unpredictable, Sienna started carried chocolate bar everywhere.

The day she married, she'd quietly pulled Chase aside.

"She only eats the original flavor."

"Make sure she doesn't skip meals."

Chase smiled. "I will."

I looked across the dining hall, the two of them walked side by side. Like they'd always belonged to each other.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

I couldn't hate Sienna. She was my sister.

After our parents died, we'd survived the slums with nothing but each other.

She'd once taken a bottle to the head protecting me from a drunk man.

Some debts and losses could never be measured. Maybe the only thing left for me to do was leave.

I picked up my tray and walked away.

The chocolate bar remained exactly where she'd left it.

Untouched.

After all...

Giving up one piece of candy couldn't possibly be that hard.

Six days until Sicily.