Chapter 2

That evening, a knock came at my door.

Lucia stood there holding a glass of medicine. "Are you feeling any better?"

She looked stricken with guilt. "I didn't know you were allergic to this kind of flower too."

Salvatore appeared behind her and patted her shoulder. "It's all right. You didn't mean to. Your sister won't hold it against you."

I managed a weak smile. I was about to take the medicine when a familiar scent hit me.

Two fresh lilies were still tucked into Lucia's hair.

I recoiled instinctively, and the glass in Lucia's hand shattered on the floor.

She let out a small cry and fell into Salvatore's arms.

"Are you all right?"

I looked up, only to realize the concern wasn't directed at me.

"Lucia was only trying to look after you. She didn't actually do anything wrong. There's no need to take it out on her."

I was coughing too hard to get out a single complete sentence. My eyes stung with tears.

Lucia clutched Salvatore's arm. "It's my fault, Salvatore. I upset Bianca. I'll just go."

With that, she ran out crying.

Salvatore moved instinctively to follow her, then forced himself to stop. He stepped toward me and reached out to stroke my hair.

I caught the scent clinging to him and backed away.

Salvatore's brow tightened. "Bianca, you're not a child. Stop sulking.

"Lucia is a good person. I don't want bad blood between you two. Go apologize."

My voice came out raw. "Salvatore, are you joking?"

His tone softened a fraction. "You're the Donna of the Romano Family. Show some grace. Don't disappoint me."

"Donna of the Family?"

Almost out of spite, I pulled out the pocket watch and handed it back to him.

"If what you call grace is swallowing every insult in silence, I'm sorry. I can't do it."

He studied me for a long time, then took the watch.

"You certainly don't look like a suitable Donna right now. Take this time and get some rest."

He turned and went after Lucia.

I held back the urge to cry but couldn't stop myself from following.

Salvatore's strides were long and hurried. His figure disappeared down the corridor.

When I saw him stop, I halted too.

He hadn't gone after Lucia. He stood there, turning the pocket watch over in his hand.

The butler, Adrian Moretti, spoke quietly. "Don, the elders are waiting."

"Is this about the intercepted shipment?" Salvatore tightened his grip on the watch. "Sector 31. It has to be Dante Falcone. He's got nerve."

My breath caught at the familiar name.

The butler clarified, "That's not what this is about, actually."

"Ah. Then it's personal."

The butler tried to defuse the tension. "Replacing the entire garden with lilies drew attention. The elders want an explanation."

Seeing Salvatore's expression darken further, the butler changed direction.

He suggested, "The shipments through the neighboring sectors have always been overseen by the Donna. Given her acquaintance with Don Falcone, perhaps..."

Salvatore cut him off, his face grim. "The Donna is unwell. She can't attend to business."

"Salvatore?"

Lucia emerged from around the corner, rubbing her reddened eyes.

Salvatore blinked, and his expression softened.

The butler offered a courteous smile. "My apologies, Miss Lucia. I'll have Rosa escort you to rest. The Don still has matters to attend to."

Rosa Bellini stepped forward. "This way, Miss Lucia."

Lucia's eyes went wide and she shook her head. "No, I wasn't trying to eavesdrop."

Salvatore spoke up. "It's fine. She's Bianca's sister. That practically makes her one of us."

I pressed my lips together. Was that really why he'd taken such a liking to Lucia?

The butler's disapproval showed, but all he dared say was, "I hear the Valentini family has grown quite close to the Falcones lately. Miss Lucia Valentini would certainly know about that."

Salvatore shot him a look, then turned and placed the rose-engraved pocket watch in Lucia's hand.

"You make a fair point. For the time being, Lucia will stand in for the Donna and oversee the Family's affairs."

My gaze locked onto the pocket watch. My eyes burned.

That watch was the symbol of the Romano Family's Donna.

Three years ago, when Salvatore gave it to me, he held it close to my ear.

He said the watch's ticking was proof that his heart beat for me.

Now, had the heart that once beat for me started beating for someone else?

The butler lowered his head. "Don, I'm afraid that would break protocol."

"Adrian, you've had far too much to say today."

Lucia looked up and her eyes met mine. I shrank back and turned away, quickening my step.

The next day, the butler reminded me it was time for a meal.

"Have someone bring it up."

The butler replied, "The Don specifically asked you to come downstairs to eat."

The room was quiet for a moment. "All right. I'll be down soon."

I had spent the entire night wrestling with my emotions, then sat alone for a long while after. I thought I could face it all without flinching.

But when I saw Lucia toying with the pocket watch, my hand tightened on the banister.

Lucia cooed, "The lily pattern on this one is even prettier than yesterday's. Thank you, Salvatore."

I paused. He hadn't given away the original watch?

Salvatore smiled indulgently. "Roses really aren't as becoming on you as lilies."

I forced a pale smile, a dull ache swelling in my chest.

He had kept the rose watch only because Lucia didn't like it.

The rose was the Romano Family's symbol, representing fierce ambition beneath a calm surface.

And now the rose had lost to the lily.

Salvatore twisted a lock of Lucia's golden hair between his fingers. "By my order, this watch carries the same authority to command the entire estate."

The last spark of hope inside me went out.

I turned to leave. Lucia spotted me at the bend in the staircase and shot to her feet. "Bianca."

Salvatore called me over.

Lilies sat in a vase on the table. I didn't dare go near, so I stood at a distance.

"What is it?"

Salvatore spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "You're in no condition to manage the Family's affairs right now. Let Lucia take over. Teach her well, and she'll learn quickly."

I was floored. He was stripping me of my authority and expecting me to train her myself.

"Lucia is only my sister. She isn't part of the Romano Family. She has no right to manage Family business."

Salvatore didn't even look up. "These are just titles. She'll need to learn all of this sooner or later. Starting now makes no difference."

I didn't ask what sooner or later meant. I swallowed the bitterness and nodded before hurrying away.

Salvatore called after me, "Come to my study after breakfast tomorrow. You'll begin teaching Lucia the Family's affairs."