Chapter 2

The next day, I went back to my family's estate with Eva.

My belongings hadn't been loaded into the car yet. I'd come only to tell the family elders that I'd signed the agreement ending my marriage.

The guards at the estate gates recognized my black armored car, waved it through, and sent word ahead.

By the time I walked into the meeting room, my father, my brother Luca, and his wife Amy were already sitting at the long table.

I'd barely set the agreement down when my father asked, "When is Victor planning to marry Selena?"

No one cared that my five-year marriage had ended overnight or what would happen to me next.

"I have no idea when he's marrying her.

"I came to let you all know that I'm moving back home for now.

"And I refuse to marry Carl."

My father's face hardened.

"The Don himself picked his most trusted man for you. He's doing this family a great honor.

"If you dare back out, you're not just slapping Carl in the face. You're slapping Victor."

Luca frowned too.

"Just yesterday, Victor promised me control of 30 percent of the arms routes through the docks once things between you two are settled.

"Carl is his ace. After this, our two families and the Don will be bound together in an unbreakable alliance."

Amy chimed in quietly beside him. "Monica, even if you won't think about yourself, you should think about the family's future."

I looked at her coldly.

"My first marriage bought this family its political connections. Now you want me to remarry so my brother can get a piece of the docks.

"So what do I get out of this deal?"

My father wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Carl doesn't keep any mistresses. You'd be the undisputed lady of his territory.

"Now that Selena's back, if you cause a scandal fighting her for that position, the whole family will be a laughingstock.

"Marrying Carl is what's best for everyone."

High heels clicked down the long hallway.

Selena pushed open the half-closed door and walked in.

"If Monica feels so wronged that she doesn't want to marry, then I wouldn't dare become the Donna either."

My father jumped to his feet to greet her.

"Ms. Morelli, don't say that."

Selena sighed and shook her head.

"If Monica gets divorced and never marries again, what will people in New York's underworld say about me?

"They'll call me a thief who stole her husband and drove her into a corner."

I stared at her perfectly made-up face.

"It isn't that you wouldn't dare become the Donna.

"You just can't wait to pack me up and ship me off."

She stepped closer and whispered so only I could hear. "As long as you stay single, Victor will always feel guilty about what he did to you.

"And I don't want my man spending the rest of his life trying to figure out how to make it up to his ex-wife."

My father slammed his hand down on the solid wood table.

"Enough.

"You'll agree to marry Carl whether you like it or not."

I shot back, "What if I'd rather die?"

"Then you can go to the water cell and clear your head.

"You'll stay there until you come to your senses."

I turned and walked toward the door.

Eva followed me a couple of steps, but a bodyguard clamped a hand on her shoulder and held her back.

When they locked me in the water cell underground, it was still light outside.

It would only be a few hours in cold water.

After all my years in this life, I could handle that much.

But late that night, the temperature plunged, and the cold sank into my bones.

The chill seeped into my knee, the one that had once taken a bullet.

Eva stood outside the iron door with a blanket and painkillers, crying and begging.

"Miss Monica has an old injury in her leg. Let me in."

Luca was blocking the entrance to the passage.

"Father's orders. Nobody takes anything in until she agrees."

Amy tugged at Luca's hand.

"It's freezing in there. What if she really gets sick?"

Luca shook her off.

"If she calls off this marriage, my business at the docks goes down the drain with it.

"Whose side are you on, damn it?"

Amy shrank back and didn't say another word.

Before long, Selena was standing outside the iron door, looking down at me.

"Ms. Coppola, have you thought it over?"

I gripped the rusty bars and pulled myself up, trembling.

"I thought it over a long time ago.

"You're not afraid that I'll never marry.

"You're afraid that even after I give up my place as lady of the house, Victor won't forget the five years we spent together."

I'd barely taken half a step forward when a searing pain shot through my knee.

I pitched face-first into the water.

Selena watched me, her expression darkening, then gave a cold laugh.

"Ms. Coppola really is stubborn. Go tell Mr. Coppola I don't care what methods he uses. All I care about is the result."