Jude was plainly uncomfortable displaying any emotion in public. He soon left me to the whims of my inquisitive mother and spoke with Romeo and other Underbosses. I eventually got over her and my aunts and went to hide in a lavatory stall.Twenty minutes later, River found me here. "It's quite overwhelming, isn't it?" she asked once I had changed my makeup and came out."That is.""Are you alright? If you're not, you can let me know. Though Jude is my brother, my priority is as a woman.I nodded, recalling Jude's remarks and his hesitation to share our personal life with others."Thank you, but I'm okay."She smiled a little. "Refrain from letting him transform you into someone you're not. There are girls like you in our world.”Unlike her brother, she didn't mind when I gave her a quick embrace and returned the favor. Although I was happy to have her support, I had to figure out where I fit into Jude's life on my own. Anything less would not sit well with him.When we eventually arri

Jude POVAnnoyance hummed under my skin. Isadora peered up at me calmly, thinking she knew everything. It was the advantage of youth—believing you knew how the world ran and convinced you could shape it to your ideals. She’d soon realize that ideals were just teenage foolishness.“Come now,” I gritted out, not wanting to release the frustration of the last few months on her. Ultimately, it was my fault for allowing this marriage, for thinking an eighteen-year-old girl could be a wife and mother. The idea that Isadora could become Josephine 2.0 turned my stomach over.Isadora opened her mouth as if to say more, but I sent her a warning look. She’d need to learn when to shut up. She pursed her lips but remained quiet.I led her to Daniele’s room first. I opened the door but didn’t turn the lights on. Daniele’s bed was empty.“Where is he?” Isadora whispered, worried, as she crossed the room toward the bed.My heart clenched. Turning on my heel, I walked out and strode down the corridor.

ISADORA POVSomething in his gaze made my pulse pick up—something dark lurking in its depth. “Those scars,” he murmured. “Did your father create them?”Oh. Now I understand the look. “No,” I said quickly, and without thinking, I put my hand on his. His eyes cut down to our hands, then back up to me. “He never hit me. He wouldn’t. He adores me.” That sounded vain, but it was the truth. My father was certainly a violent man, but not at home, not to my mother and me.Jude chuckled. “I can see why he does.” I bit my lip, surprised by his words. “Who gave you those scars, then?”“When I was young, I loved to climb trees. We had a few old, tall trees in our garden. I loved to climb them. I wasn’t supposed to, but I snuck out all the time. One time, I didn’t pay enough attention and fell down. I broke a few bones and got cut up by a thorn bush beneath the tree. That’s it. Dad cut down all the trees after that.”“You make it sound as if Felix is a good father, which contradicts the opinion I’

ISADORA POVI stood frozen, staring down at the little boy. What had just happened? Daniele had struggled against Jude’s grip, as if he were terrified of him. And for a moment, Jude appeared as if he were on the verge of losing control.Cherry kept barking downstairs, but Bianca quieted eventually, probably because Jude had taken her out of her crib. Remembering last night’s mess, I squared my shoulders and squatted before the little boy.“Hello, Daniele. I’m Isadora.”Daniele looked at me with miserable milk-chocolate-brown eyes. His caramel-blond hair was a tousled mess and even looked knotted in places, as if it hadn’t been combed properly in a long time. “How about we get you ready for the day?”He didn’t react; he only stared. My stomach tightened. This kid was hurting. His mother had died only a few months ago, and his dad was obviously overwhelmed by the situation. I didn’t know what had happened or the extent of Daniele’s trauma, but it was obvious that he needed help. He look

ISADORA POVDaniele watched me open-mouthed. I stroked Fleefoot’s fur, and his face filled with longing. Remembering Jude’s words about her snapping, I decided not to let him touch her for now. Both needed to heal before they could really become friends.Daniele fell into step beside me as I crossed the living room to the French doors. The cold November air wafted into my face. Staying inside, I set Cherry down on the terrace. For a moment, she didn’t move; she only raised her nose and let the wind tug at her fur. Then she stormed off. My heart skipped a beat, thinking she was trying to run away. Instead, she just ran, twisting and turning like a hare. She ran and ran and ran, as if she were delirious with her newfound freedom.Daniele stood close to me, following everything with childish wonder.I squatted beside him, even though the uncomfortable fabric of my pants made it difficult. “She’s happy, see?”He nodded but didn’t take his eyes off Fleefoot. Daniele and I stayed like that