Chapter 1

Whispers in the underworld mentioned that Jason Marino, heir to the Family with its hands in the cross-continental arms trade, supposedly loved women with slim waists.

Since his recent return to the country, his eyes had landed on Sonia Stewart—sworn sister to my fiancé, Andy Black.

When Andy found out, he disappeared for three whole days. I finally tracked him down in the Family's club, only to overhear a conversation that shattered my world.

"I'm not just going to stand by and watch Sonia marry that playboy Jason," Andy was telling his lieutenant. "On the wedding day, you need to swap Sonia's wedding car with Leona's. No one must find out!"

His lieutenant thumped his chest, swearing, "No problem, boss! I'll get it done. But... What about your fiancee, Leona?"

Andy let out a confident laugh, as if he were in control of everything.

"I'm the Don's hand-picked Consigliere. Jason knows Leona belongs to me, so he won't lay a finger on her. Once I've slept with Sonia, he'll have to give up on her. After that, we'll just send someone to pick Leona up. She won't suspect a thing. Instead, she'll be scared and trembling… Pathetic but adorable nonetheless. She'll come running right back to my arms!"

Every word was like a bullet leaving holes in my heart, every tone tearing it apart.

I stumbled away as fast as I could, praying they wouldn't hear the sound of my heart breaking.

When Andy tried to pick me up according to his plan later on, he broke down.

...

As soon as Andy finished speaking, the room echoed with the sound of a loud kiss landing on someone's cheek.

Sonia's smug voice followed right after. "Andy, I really don't know how to thank you! I never thought having a slim waist would get me into trouble... Good thing you're there for me!"

Andy grinned. "You're my sworn sister. I once made a blood oath to protect you. No need to thank me."

He paused for a moment, and his tone turned teasing.

"But if you really want to repay me, you can always give me a kid."

The moment he said that, his most trusted men burst out laughing, all of them in on the joke.

Sonia's voice sounded half-excited, half-embarrassed as she protested sweetly, "Oh, come on! How can you say that with so many people around? I might take it seriously! But... What if Leona finds out? She's never liked me. What if she comes after me just because the wedding cars got switched?"

Andy chuckled, his tone infinitely smug. He knew me all too well.

"Relax. Leona won't bother you. She's very obedient...especially in bed. She'll do anything to keep me happy. As long as I warn her at the right moment not to mess with you, she'll listen."

His men roared with laughter.

"God, boss! You really know how to keep Miss Leona under your thumb!"

"No wonder she does whatever you say! Looks like you've got her completely under your charm."

"You're really having a great time, boss. Your fiancée is Don Marino's adopted daughter, so your position is solid. Your sworn sister has your protection and devotes herself to you... You're the kind of man everyone should aspire to be!"

Andy just smiled coolly and said nothing.

He took a crystal wind chime from his jacket pocket and handed it to Sonia. "On your wedding day, hang this on your car's rearview mirror. When the driver sees it, he'll know you're my bride. He'll make sure you get to me safe and sound."

Sonia took the wind chime. She was so ecstatic, she couldn't say a word.

When I saw that wind chime, I lowered my gaze and gave a bitter, silent smile.

Andy's mother had given me that wind chime when Andy and I got engaged, saying it was a gift for her future daughter-in-law. I had always kept it carefully in my jewelry box; I only took it out to admire it every day.

Three days ago, Andy asked me for the wind chime. He said that it was for the wedding preparations, so I gave it to him. I never thought he would give it to someone else.

I turned and walked away. Outside, it was pouring.

My thoughts drifted back to five years ago...

It was raining at my father's funeral, too. I cried so hard that I nearly passed out.

My father had been the Family's top hitman. That day, he was sent to take out a powerful enemy. He pulled off the job, but took several bullets during the crossfire and died in a pool of blood.

The Don, Vic Marino, honored his loyalty by taking me in as his adopted daughter, giving me privileges no one else had.

Everyone respected me, but they all kept their distance.

Then, Vic asked if I would be willing to marry Andy, the genius Consigliere, as he wanted to keep Andy tied to the Family.

It was an open secret, a marriage to buy Andy's loyalty.

I thought it would just be a cold exchange of profit and interests between us, but everything changed because of a sudden attack about half a year ago.

My father's enemies came for me, and Andy didn't hesitate to take a bullet for me. He was shot in the shoulder, but he never flinched. He just held me tight against his chest.

"You're mine. Nothing's taking you from me," he breathed.

He only let go when backup from the Family arrived, collapsing in front of me.

That was the second time I cried for a man. The first was when I lost my father.

The second...was when I lost my heart.

Our political marriage started to change, turning into something dangerously real. Andy would hold my hand through my nightmares. When I said I missed my father, he would drive me out in the middle of the night to visit my father's grave.

I used to think he was the light in my life.

But now...

That light shone on someone else.

Fine, then. If that was what he wanted, then I would grant his wish.