Chapter 1

"Have you thought this through?"

Standing outside the airport, my inner thighs still sore and my legs trembling, I gripped the phone.

"I have."

My father's voice came over the line. "You should've done this long ago. Matteo Romano would never let anyone hurt you."

Five years ago, when my father sent me to Luca at 19, he'd said the same thing.

"He's your uncle, and he's the brother I'd trust with my life. With him looking after you in Sicily, I don't have to worry."

My father still had no idea that the man I'd been hiding for five years, the one I never dared mention at home, was Luca, the man I'd called uncle all along.

After I hung up, I went back to headquarters and handed the Elder in charge of internal affairs my signed resignation as chief assistant.

The Elder flipped to the last page, then looked up at me for a long time.

"Ms. Bianchi, a resignation needs the Don's personal approval. Are you sure you want to leave?"

"I'm sure."

"Does the Don know?"

"This is my resignation. He doesn't get to make this decision for me."

The Elder stamped it, then had me press my thumbprint beside it in blood.

When I left the Elders' hall, I had three missed calls from Luca.

I still had to go back to the hillside estate to pack my things, so I called him back.

It rang for a long time before someone picked up. It was Sofia Russo.

"Looking for Luca?"

Her voice was soft and lazy, and she sounded out of breath.

"He's in the shower. If you need something, you can tell me."

I could hear running water and the rustle of fabric.

My grip on the stair rail tightened, and I couldn't stop picturing them.

Have they already slept together in the big bed in the master bedroom?

Does looking at the rose on Sofia's thigh excite him more than looking at me?

My chest hurt, but my voice stayed steady.

"No, thanks."

Less than five minutes after I hung up, Luca called back.

"Why didn't you pick up just now?"

His voice was hoarse, and he opened with an accusation.

"I was handing over my work."

"What handoff?"

"Loose ends from my assistant job."

Luca didn't press. His voice went back to its usual chill.

"Don't stay at the hillside estate tonight. Sofia just got back, and she isn't feeling well. She needs the master bedroom."

After a moment, he added, "It wouldn't be appropriate for you to stay there."

For five years, I'd lived in the room next to the master bedroom. Whenever Luca wanted me, no matter how late, I had to go to him.

Now that Sofia was back, it wasn't even appropriate for me to set foot on the estate.

"My things are still there."

"Clear them out this afternoon. The condo by the docks is empty. Move in there for now."

I heard someone call Luca's name in a sugary voice.

His breathing caught for a second, then he lowered his voice to soothe her. "Coming."

When he spoke to me again, every trace of that tenderness was gone.

"Aria, don't throw a tantrum right now.

"I promised your father I'd look after you. You'll always have a place to live and enough money."

So in his eyes, giving me an apartment and some money counted as looking after me.

He'd refused to make our relationship public because my father was his adoptive brother, and the mafia wouldn't tolerate the scandal of an uncle and his niece.

When he needed me gone, I was his brother's daughter again, someone he'd been entrusted to protect. Then he could play the dutiful Don and uncle.

"Did you hear me?"

"That won't be necessary, Don Ferraro."

Luca went quiet for a few seconds.

"What did you call me?"

"I'm 24. I can take care of myself."