“EMPTY YOUR PURSE ON THE TABLE, YOU OLD THIEF.” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED THE SEVENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO HAD RAISED HIM IN FRONT OF TWENTY DINNER GUESTS—BUT WHEN I PICKED UP A SMALL PHOTOGRAPH FROM THE FLOOR, THE MOST FEARED MAN IN NEW YORK LOOKED AT HIS BRIDE-TO-BE AND ASKED, “HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN LYING TO ME?” -

Chapter 10 – THE CHOICE

The heavy gun shook in Toby’s small hands. His face was pale, his eyes wide with terror, but he didn’t lower the weapon.

“My Daddy said bad men hurt our family,” the little boy whispered. “Are you a bad man?”

Detective Miller laughed, a cruel, grating sound. He turned his revolver away from me and aimed it at the seven-year-old child.

“Drop it, kid, before I make a mess on this nice rug.”

“Toby, run!” I screamed.

I didn’t think. I just moved. I grabbed the heavy brass fireplace poker and swung it with all my strength at Miller’s knees.

There was a sickening crunch. Miller roared in pain, his gun firing wildly into the ceiling as he collapsed to the floor.

Within seconds, the library doors burst open. Adrian and Leo flooded into the room, weapons drawn. Leo immediately dropped his gun and scooped Toby into his arms, burying the crying boy against his chest.

Adrian stood over Miller, his dark eyes burning with terrifying rage.

“You came into my house,” Adrian said softly. “You threatened my nephew. And you threatened Claire.”

Miller spat blood on the floor. “Your father owned me, Valenti. You owe me!”

“My father is dead,” Adrian said coldly. “And his debts die with him.”

Adrian dragged Miller out by his collar, handing him over to the men waiting outside.

When the room was quiet again, Adrian turned to me. The fierce mafia boss looked incredibly vulnerable.

“Claire,” he said gently, stepping closer. “This world… it’s dangerous. Your father tried to protect you from it. If you want to sell this estate and leave, I will make sure you and David are set for life. You never have to see us again.”

He was offering me freedom. An escape from the violence, the secrets, the mafia life.

I looked at the train ticket on the desk. Then I looked at Adrian, who had risked everything to save my brother.

I opened my mouth to answer, but a sudden, terrifying crash echoed from the dining room.

David yelled my name.

We ran back into the dining room.

Mama Ruth was lying motionless on the marble floor, clutching her chest.