Chapter 1

After I died, my phone kept ringing.

It was my father, Victor Moretti.

He kept calling, desperate to know if I'd made it onto the evacuation convoy.

Worried that he might find out what really happened, Matteo and the others finally picked up.

They lied and told him I'd been shot during the evacuation and urgently needed a blood transfusion from a relative with the same blood type.

"The FBI might already be watching this place. Don't bring anyone. Come to the old warehouse alone."

Afraid I would die before he got there, my father rushed over without even alerting his guards.

Matteo had already sealed every exit and hidden gunmen inside the warehouse.

The moment my father stepped through the door, gunfire erupted from every direction.

Dozens of bullets tore into his body.

He collapsed beside my body, still calling my name.

What was left of my soul lunged at Matteo, desperate to tear him apart with my own hands.

But my hands passed through him again and again. I couldn't do a thing.

Matteo stared coldly down at our bodies.

"Blame yourself for raising such a vicious daughter. Neither of you is worth Viola's life!"

But when they finally got a clear look at my father's face, they all went pale.

Someone cried out in shock.

"Viola, you're really the Chairman's daughter?"

My eyes snapped open.

I was back in the familiar underground council chamber, with everyone crowded around Viola.

She was showing them a chat thread on her phone.

"I've already worked everything out with my dad. Your names will go straight onto the priority convoy.

"No fingerprints at the church, no pat-downs, none of it."

A young member canceled his registration appointment on the spot.

"Who wants to line up at the church like a criminal? I'm going with Viola."

The others pulled out their phones too.

Matteo canceled his appointment and held the screen up to my face.

"That's what trust looks like."

As I watched the same scene play out again, I finally understood. I'd come back to life.

This time, my father was still alive.

And the evacuation list hadn't been sealed yet.

Viola noticed that I hadn't canceled my registration and deliberately raised her voice.

"Elena, you're just the adopted daughter of a low-level associate. Even if you manage to register, you'll end up in the worst safe house.

"For old times' sake, swear your loyalty to me, and I'll have my dad save you a spot."

She had someone bring over a chair and gestured for me to kneel in front of her.

Matteo scoffed.

"An outsider who didn't join the Family until she came of age? She should be grateful we're even willing to let her come with us."

Everyone watched me, waiting for me to bow my head.

I warned them one last time. "The Commission made it clear. Only people who register in person will make the evacuation list."

Viola's eyes reddened instantly.

"Who knows if the FBI has already taken over that church?

"What if everyone goes there to register and the FBI arrests them all? Are you going to take responsibility for that?"

Matteo drew his gun and pressed it against my forehead.

"Apologize to Viola.

"Tell everyone you don't know the first thing about the Commission's rules."

The muzzle pressed hard against my forehead.

Not one person in the chamber spoke up for me.

Someone even told me to hurry up and kneel before I lost my last chance to get on the convoy.

Matteo had worn the exact same expression when he pulled the trigger and killed me. He hadn't hesitated for a second.

I pushed the gun aside and walked toward the door.

"In seventy-two hours, you'll find out for yourselves who makes it onto that convoy."