Chapter 1

I'd gotten my father and brother settled in a safe house downtown by the time Victor finally called.

Victor opened with an accusation, his voice sharp with impatience.

"We're in the meeting room at the estate. Where is everybody?

"Signing a blood pact is a big deal, and your father still has to pull the old-school boss act? He just walked out?"

I held the phone and said nothing for a second.

Then I answered him flatly.

"Victor, my father and brother waited with me for five hours, and none of you even showed your faces.

"This isn't my father putting on airs. Sicily's dignity means nothing to you people."

The line went quiet for a moment.

Victor eased up.

"Lilia's father finished his sentence today. He just walked out of the maximum-security prison in the North District.

"The old man has plenty of enemies, and Lilia couldn't handle them alone, so I took some men to escort him.

"You know I see Lilia as my little sister. I couldn't leave her family's safety to chance."

It was rare for Victor to explain himself, but listening to him made me sick.

When my father and brother arrived yesterday, I was handling an arms handoff at the East District docks and couldn't get away.

I had no choice but to call Victor and ask him to send two armored cars to the airport to pick them up.

And how had he answered me?

"Your father brought all those guards. He can hire a car and get to headquarters himself. What, does he think someone's going to take him out in my territory?"

I explained as patiently as I could.

"My father's people can't enter the West District without your special pass.

"The airport isn't far from the estate. Sending a car would show my father some respect."

Before I could finish, he cut me off impatiently.

"I've got over a dozen blocks of territory to run every day, and now you want me running errands for you too?

"Your family, your problem. I don't have time to wait on a bunch of old Sicilian fossils."

Then he hung up on me.

In the end, I sent my deputy, Luca Ferraro, to lead a team and pick them up.

The man I was about to tie myself to was less reliable than one of my own deputies.

The whole thing was absurd.

I couldn't help it. I laughed out loud into the phone.

Victor heard it and relaxed completely, sounding pretty pleased with himself.

"You're laughing, so I guess we're good.

"Cecilia, don't throw another tantrum. You know our families do things differently. My men weren't happy about this marriage alliance with the Bellini family to begin with.

"I'll pick another date. Your father can apologize to my deputies, and then we'll resume the marriage talks."

He sounded so superior.

And he said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I gripped the phone and answered coldly.

"No need.

"My father and brother are leaving soon."

Victor paused for a second, then answered smoothly, as if he'd seen it coming.

"That's fine too. The blood pact follows West District rules anyway. Your father wouldn't be much help if he stayed."

Then Lilia's syrupy voice came over the line. "Victor, my dad says this vintage wine is amazing. Thanks for having us. Come have a glass with us."

And just like countless times before, Victor hung up on me.

In the safe house, my father came over and took my hand.

"Sweetheart, don't worry about your brother and me. Don't pick a fight with Victor on our account.

"As long as he treats you well, that's all that matters. We'll leave right after the ceremony. We won't cause any trouble for your business in the West District."

My heart ached. I turned and clung to my father's sturdy arm.

"Dad, I've already had Luca start taking stock of my holdings here.

"In three days, I'm going back with you."

My father froze. He couldn't keep the disbelief and delight out of his voice. "Really?"

I smiled and nodded firmly.

"I swear."

My father and brother immediately ran off to pack.

They'd hauled those weapons and blueprints all this way so I could expand my power in the West District.

Now every last one of them was going back untouched.

By the time Victor got back to the estate, it was past midnight.

I was leaning back on the sofa with my eyes closed when someone wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"Why'd you go to sleep without waiting up for me tonight, my little Sicilian wildcat?"