The Don’s Secret Wife

My mother’s happy words choked the fight right out of my throat.I couldn’t tell her the cruel truth. Not now."Mom... I'm a little tired. I'll call you back later," I said quickly, hanging up. My hands and feet felt like ice.Blair stepped forward, the crunch of broken glass under his leather shoes grating on my nerves."You heard her. The invitations are out. Your mother is thrilled." He braced his hands on the vanity, trapping me against it. "The wedding is set. The entire underworld is watching us. If we call it off now, the Hillrose and Falcone families will be a laughingstock."He knew my weakness. He always knew how to use my family to control me."So?" I laughed, a bitter, angry sound, and tilted my head back to glare into his blue eyes. "So you're using our families' honor to blackmail me into playing the fool in some three-person 'wedding of the century'?""Don't be dramatic, Flora," Blair said, his brow tight. "We built an empire together. This union is what's best for both

Mia offered to walk me out.Blair got a call about a firefight down at the docks. "I have to handle this. I'll be back in ten."That left just me and Mia in the hallway.The air grew thick.Mia held her teacup, the timid expression still on her face, but her eyes had changed."Miss Flora," she said, her voice still soft. "You really are beautiful.""Thank you," I replied politely."But..." Mia's eyes glinted. "So what if you're a Don's daughter? Legally, you'll always be the other woman. The mistress hiding in the shadows."I was stunned by the sudden change.I thought she was a victim in this, too. But now I saw she knew everything.I had no desire to engage. I turned to leave, but she stepped in my way."Have you seen this?" Mia held up her left hand. A magnificent diamond ring glittered on her finger. "Blair gave this to me to make up for not having a big wedding. He said only a wife deserves a ring like this."I clamped down on the pain in my chest. "What exactly are you trying to

"What's all the racket?" Blair's brow furrowed, trying to push down the knot of unease in his gut."It's Miss Flora!" Vito's voice was shaking. "After you left... she collapsed in the church. Covered in blood! Boss, there was blood everywhere!"Blair's heart seized.Covered in blood? Collapsed?He shoved Mia off him, shot up from the bed, and snatched his suit jacket from the back of the chair, turning to leave."Blair! Where are you going?" Mia scrambled up, grabbing his sleeve in a panic."I have to check on Flora."Mia's eyes went red. She bit her lip, putting on a show of hurt and understanding. "I heard Flora's always been so strong, she never even gets a cold... not like me, I'm not strong like her... But I guess she really isn't feeling well today. You should go. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine by myself..."Her words quieted the panic in his chest.Right. Flora was a Mafia princess from a top Family. She'd dodged more hits with him than he could count. She was in better shap

(Blair's POV)The elder's voice was flat, cold. "She'll live. They just moved her to a sterile isolation room.""She'll live..."Those two words felt like a pardon. The tension that had held Blair's body rigid finally gave way, and he slumped against the cold wall, gasping for air, his eyes burning.As long as she was alive.As long as she was alive, he had a chance to make it right.He pushed himself upright, his legs unsteady, and started toward the isolation room at the end of the hall."Stop."In an instant, a dozen black barrels were pointed straight at his head. The Hillrose family's gunmen blocked his path."Get out of my way!" he snarled, his hand moving to the gun at his back.THWACK!Before he could draw, a fist slammed into his face.His head snapped to the side, the coppery taste of blood filling his mouth. The man who'd hit him was Flora's uncle, Julian, the Hillrose family's second-in-command.His eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed Blair by the collar."You son of a bitch!

(Blair's POV)For nearly two months, Blair was a changed man.He handed over all of the Falcone family's underground casinos, port smuggling, and turf wars to his second-in-command, Vito. The once-ambitious Godfather's only daily appointment was staying at the estate and playing the part of the perfect fiancé.Every morning, he’d make breakfast for Flora himself. Then he’d wake her with a soft kiss.He had to handle everything for her, more possessive than he’d ever been.And Flora? She looked happier every day.On the surface, everything was perfect.The only crack in the facade was when Flora would smile and ask, "Why are you so good to me?" Blair would flinch, unable to meet her gaze.He’d just force a smile. "Because I love you, baby. Of course."But only Blair knew the truth. Every night, the nightmares came back. He’d see the look on Flora’s face on their wedding day—so final, so full of hate.And their child, crying, asking him, "Daddy, why didn't you want me?"He’d jolt awake