Chapter 1

Isabella

I stared straight ahead, seeing the reflection of my family as the elevator whisked us up to the capo dei capi’s apartment in the Kansas City skyline. This was a formal event. My father and little brother were both wearing suits, and my sister, Noemi, Mom, and I were all wearing dresses. Nothing but the best for the kingpin of the Kansas City Famiglia.

Biting my lip, I felt my stomach twist with nerves. Tension rippled through the air even thicker than it had in the SUV on the way to this first-birthday celebration—a momentous milestone for the capo’s daughter.

As our family drove across town, Papà reminded us of his rules—no socializing with members of the Roríguez cartel. It wasn’t the first time we’d heard his lecture. If I recalled correctly, the first time was before Mom, Noemi, and I flew to California for Catalina’s wedding shower. Papà’s bodyguards were present for our protection and to spy on our interactions.

The world of the famiglia had been turned upside down since that trip. The aftermath was easily traced to my cousin Dario marrying Catalina, the daughter of one of the Roríguez cartel’s top lieutenants. Then my uncle died, making Dario the top of the Luciano famiglia, much to my father’s and my uncle Salvatore’s mortification. That wasn’t all. Next, Dario forced his sister, Mia, to marry into the cartel. Her husband’s father recently passed away, making Aléjandro the drug lord, the top of the cartel. Dario’s last sibling, Dante, willingly married Catalina’s younger sister, Camila, another member of the cartel.

The latest marriage came as a relief. I didn’t know until later, but Dario spoke to my father about me marrying Reinaldo Roríguez, now second-in-command in the cartel. My savior was the last person I would have expected—Dario’s stray, Jasmine. She was another person Father warned us about speaking to.

Sometimes I thought it might be helpful to carry a list.

Papà’s deep voice cut through the waves of tension. “Remember what you were told. We will leave as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Papà,” my siblings and I answered in unison.

I looked down, seeing my little brother. Anthony was small for a nine-year-old. All three of us siblings shared the same coloring, blond hair and light brown eyes. I was the oldest. Noemi was next at fifteen years old. My father finally got his boy with Anthony.

At the sound of our father’s reminder, my brother reached for my hand.

Smiling down at him, I gave it a squeeze. Papà wouldn’t approve of Anthony needing reassurance. He was to be a man after all. If I was asked, I’d say it was our father’s fault that the three of us and even Mom were battling nerves.

Trips to Dario and Catalina’s home never ended well. Someone would say or do something to set Father off. Usually, it was the capo himself. We all knew that if it wasn’t for our father’s devotion to the famiglia, he’d turn down the invitation.

I sucked in a breath as the elevator doors opened to the large open foyer. The sounds of voices and the melody of music replaced the earlier silence.

“Mr. Luciano,” one of Dario’s guards said with a nod. “Mrs. Luciano,” he greeted Mom, and then turned toward the room. That was the way it was when you’re young in this family. You were invisible.

My father was the third son of our grandfather, Anthony Luciano. Vincent, Dario’s father, was the first son. Vincent’s mother had difficulty having more children. From what I’ve been told, after her death, Anthony remarried, wedding our grandmother Gia.

The different wives accounted for the age difference between Uncle Vincent, Uncle Salvatore, and my father, Carmine Luciano. That was also why Uncle Salvatore’s and my father’s children were much younger than Uncle Vincent and Aunt Arianna’s. Papà was sixteen and a made man when his nephew, Dario, was born. It’s understandable why he and Uncle Salvatore didn’t appreciate taking orders from Dario.

Papà turned, inspecting his family. “Isabella, let go of your brother’s hand,” he growled in a hushed whisper. His dark eyes narrowed at Anthony. “You are a man.”

“Yes, Papà,” my brother said.

“We must greet the capo,” Papà said, turning his attention to the living room filled with people. His neck straightened and his shoulders stiffened at the sight of members of Catalina’s family and the Roríguez cartel. “Anthony, come with me to the capo’s office.”

“Carmine,” Mom said softly, “he’s only nine. Perhaps he should stay with us.”

Ignoring Mom’s concern, Papà laid his large hand on Anthony’s back and directed him toward Dario’s office doors.

Noemi hugged Mom’s arm. “Tony will be fine.” My sister scanned the crowd and whispered, “Where is Aunt Giulia or Aunt Arianna?”

Jasmine’s flaming red hair caught my attention. I rolled my eyes. “Jasmine is back.”

“You know how your father feels,” Mom warned. Her eyes opened wide. “There’s Arianna with Catalina. We can greet the hostess and then stay near your aunt.”

Mom led us through the crowd. Ariadna Gia, the birthday girl, was sitting on Aunt Arianna’s lap. “Catalina,” Mom said with a feigned smile. “It was nice to be invited to the celebration.” She gazed down at the one-year-old dressed in layers and layers of lace. “Goodness, time flies. Ariadna Gia is growing so fast.”

Catalina stood.

Despite Papà’s disapproval of anyone from the cartel, since the first time we met, I’d liked Catalina. As time passed, I admired her ability to stay strong while surrounded by so many who didn’t approve of her as Dario’s wife.

She reached for Mom’s hand and squeezed. “Aurora, I’m happy you could make it.” She turned her attention on Noemi and me. “Talk about time flying…Isabella and Noemi, you are both growing up—beautiful young ladies. I haven’t seen either of you since Isabella’s graduation.” She looked at me. “Are you registered for classes this fall? Camila is currently enrolled at MSKC. I’m sure she’d be happy to show you around.”

I’d shared with Catalina at my graduation that I wanted to study.

Before I had the chance to answer, Mom replied, “Carmine and I think it would be better for Isabella to spend this next year learning about ways to help the community. As you know, I chair multiple boards for some of Kansas City’s most recognized philanthropic organizations.”

Catalina glanced at me.

I made an almost imperceptible shake of my head, hoping she wouldn’t share what we’d said. Her knowing would only upset my parents.

Catalina’s lips pressed together before she forced a smile. “That sounds lovely. I’m sure, Aurora, you’ll be able to show Isabella the ropes.”

“We could use your help with the food pantry. If you could find time.” Mom’s voice lowered. “There’s an increasing number of non-English-speaking people in need.” Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry to assume. You are bilingual, aren’t you.”

Catalina nodded. “Yes. I speak Spanish and English.”

I stifled a laugh at the order of her answer.

Mom continued, “Let me know if you could volunteer a few hours a week. I’m sure the director would be thrilled…”

Tuning out their conversation, my gaze wandered around the large room. I let out a breath of relief as I saw my cousins. I reached for Mom’s arm. “Excuse me. Marisa just arrived. I’m going to go see her.”

Mom nodded.

Noemi and I made our way toward the foyer and our cousins—Uncle Salvatore and Aunt Giulia’s children. I imagined they’d received the same lecture on their way here. I caught up to their three daughters as Uncle Salvatore walked toward Dario’s office and Aunt Giulia headed toward Mom and Catalina. Due to our similar ages, Noemi and I had always been close with these cousins. Marisa was seventeen, Aria was sixteen, and Vincenza—Cenzi—was fifteen.

Marisa’s stare met mine and her smile grew.

I reached for her shoulders. “God, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Yeah,” Noemi said, “if we had to listen to Mom ramble on about the burden of the ever-increasing number of Spanish-speaking people at the food pantry…”

“No,” Marisa said. “Please tell me it wasn’t in front of anyone from Catalina’s family.”

“To Catalina,” I replied.

Marisa shook her head before looping her arm with mine. “Whose father do you think will leave first, ours or yours?”

“Who is that?” Aria asked.

We all turned to look.

I recognized him right away. “Catalina’s brother, Emiliano.”

Aria’s eyebrows danced. “I don’t remember him being so buff.”

Marisa nudged me. “Have you seen your almost-husband?”

“Ugh. Don’t say that. For once, I appreciate Jasmine.”

“Is she here?” Aria whispered.

I nodded. “When I saw her, she was with her husband.” I emphasized the word. “I haven’t seen—”

My words stopped as the elevator doors opened, and our cousin Mia stepped out carrying her baby, Jorge, named after Mia’s late father-in-law. The new el Patrόn, Mia’s husband, Aléjandro, was a step behind her.

“Does he look more intimidating than before?” Cenzi asked in a hushed tone.

“They’re all scary if you ask me,” Marisa replied. “But I do want to see the baby.”

A crowd gathered around Mia and el Patrόn.

Aunt Giulia joined our small circle. “I’m sure Catalina wouldn’t mind if you girls wanted to get some punch from the dining room and go back to the library for a while. I’ll let you know when the party begins.”

That was code for get away from the cartel until you must absolutely be present.

Watching her mother walk away, Aria grinned. “I’d rather stay out here and drool over some of the scary men.”

My gaze scanned the room. If I could look at the cartel members without the knowledge that they were all criminals, murderers, and most likely rapists, there were some who were drool-worthy. I straightened my neck. “Our parents wouldn’t approve.”

Marisa was the one to respond. “Izzy, you’re eighteen. Uncle Carmine shouldn’t be telling you who you can and can’t see or speak to.” She lifted her chin. “As soon as I’m eighteen, I’m leaving this city.”

“And going where?” Noemi asked.

She shrugged. “Anywhere but here in this testosterone-dominated world.”

“So you’re leaving the planet?” I asked. “Is NASA taking candidates with a high school diploma?”

Marisa nudged my arm before we all began walking toward the dining room. On the long table was a big cake that read Happy 1^st birthday, Ariadna Gia. Based on the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen, we’d have more to eat than cake.

Patiently, I waited as others filled their cups. All the time, I nibbled on my lip and watched the cartel’s interaction. Despite my father’s constant warnings, everyone appeared jovial, smiling, talking, and laughing.

As I walked away from the punch bowl, I paid special attention to my cup, not wanting the red punch to spill on the marble floor. Near the fireplace, I stopped suddenly, almost running into a rock-hard obstacle. Looking up, I blinked, seeing the man I knew to be Catalina’s brother. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I get any punch on you?”

Emiliano smiled and looked down at his shirt—a blue button-up with sleeves rolled up to show his muscular forearms—then his dark stare came back at me. “No harm, no foul.”

The aroma of tobacco and spice filled my senses. “That’s good.” I took a step to the side. “If you’ll excuse me.”

“You’re Isabella?” He tucked his chin in a charming way, grinned, and offered me his hand. “I’m Emiliano.”

Staring down at his large palm and long fingers, my heart raced in my chest. In the span of seconds, I suddenly felt as if I might faint. I scanned the room from side to side. If my father so much as heard that I spoke to this man, I’d be grounded to my room or worse.

Not taking Emiliano’s hand, I scooted another step back and lifted my chin. “We’ve met, I believe.” I shrugged. “Weddings.” As my circulation warmed, I searched for my sister or cousins. “I need to go.”

“The party hasn’t even started.”

“Not leave…but my father…I…” I swallowed. “I really should find my sister.”

“If she’s with a group of girls, I think I saw them head down the hallway toward the theater room.”

“Library.”

His eyebrows arched. “You’d rather read than watch a movie?”

The answer was yes, but we weren’t conversing.

I straightened my neck. “Goodbye.”

Emiliano winked. “I’ll save you a seat for the gift opening. I’m sure it will be enthralling.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

The punch in my cup quivered from my trembling as I walked away and toward the library.