“TAKE YOUR HAND OFF MY RING! YOU’RE CONFUSED AGAIN!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 78-YEAR-OLD MOTHER FOR CLAIMING THE DIAMOND ON HER FINGER—BUT WHEN THE 26-YEAR-OLD HOUSEKEEPER WHISPERED, “THE INITIALS INSIDE ARE YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S,” MATTEO RUSSO SLOWLY PUT DOWN HIS GLASS.
Chapter 1 – The Photograph In The Envelope
Matteo stared at the sealed envelope in his hand.
His father’s handwriting was unmistakable. Bold. Sharp. Unforgiving.
Lauren’s face lost the last trace o…
THROW THAT FILTHY BOOK IN THE TRASH! NOBODY WANTS HER PEASANT RECIPES AT MY WEDDING!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 77-YEAR-OLD MOTHER DURING THEIR WEDDING MENU TASTING—BUT WHEN THE 25-YEAR-OLD KITCHEN ASSISTANT CAUGHT THE BOOK AND WHISPERED, “SHE MADE ME COPY EVERY PAGE BEFORE SHE FIRED YOUR MOTHER,” MARCO DELUCA SLOWLY PUT DOWN HIS FORK
Chapter 1 – THE REASON HE WAS FEARED
“Get that disgusting old book off my table.”
Serena Whitmore stood beneath the dining-room chandelier, staring at the red recipe book in Maria DeLuca’s hands.
T…
THROW THAT FILTHY BEAR AWAY! HE’S TEN YEARS OLD, NOT A BABY!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS SON FOR HOLDING THE LAST GIFT HIS DEAD MOTHER MADE FOR HIM—BUT WHEN THE 27-YEAR-OLD HOUSEKEEPER FELT SOMETHING HIDDEN INSIDE THE BEAR AND THE BOY WHISPERED, “MOM SAID ONLY DAD COULD OPEN IT,”
Chapter 1 – THE WOMAN WITH THE SCAR
The silence in the grand foyer was so heavy it felt difficult to breathe.
Vincent Caruso stood perfectly still, his dark eyes locked on the woman standing outside…
PUT THAT ALBUM AWAY! NO ONE WANTS TO LOOK AT HIS DEAD WIFE DURING MY ENGAGEMENT DINNER!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 27-YEAR-OLD HOUSEKEEPER FOR HELPING HIS THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD SON SAVE A SEAT FOR HIS LATE MOTHER—BUT WHEN AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH FELL BESIDE ANTHONY DELUCA’S PLATE,
Chapter 1 – THE TARGET IN THE BACKSEAT
“You were.”
The words echoed through the dining room.
Victoria’s father, Arthur, stood completely still. His face was pale, his hands trembling beside his din…
PULL THAT STAINED CLOTH OFF MY TABLE! I WON’T SERVE MY ENGAGEMENT DINNER ON AN OLD WOMAN’S RAG!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 82-YEAR-OLD MOTHER FOR USING THE FAMILY’S HAND-EMBROIDERED WEDDING LINEN
Chapter 1 – A Contract Written In Blood
“To make sure that when you married my wife, neither of you discovered she had already promised Carlo the Bellini family.”
The words echoed off the crystal ch…
REMOVE THAT OLD WOMAN’S PLATE, EMILY! THIS IS THE MAFIA BOSS’S FAMILY DINNER, NOT A CHARITY EVENT!” HIS FIANCÉE HUMILIATED ME FOR SETTING A PLACE FOR A 76-YEAR-OLD GUEST—BUT WHEN THE WOMAN NOTICED THE SMALL SILVER LOCKET AROUND MY NECK, SHE GRABBED THE EDGE OF THE TABLE AND WHISPERED, “DEAR GOD…
Chapter 1 – THE WILL HER MOTHER LEFT BEHIND
“Take the plate away. Now.”
Bianca Voss stood beside the dining table in a champagne-colored silk gown, staring at the extra place setting I’d carefully a…
TAKE THAT WATCH OFF HIM! SERVANTS DON’T WEAR FAMILY HEIRLOOMS AT MY TABLE!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 81-YEAR-OLD FORMER STEWARD DURING THE FAMILY’S FIFTIETH-ANNIVERSARY DINNER—BUT WHEN THE 27-YEAR-OLD HOUSEKEEPER READ THE ENGRAVING BENEATH THE GOLD COVER, MATTEO MORETTI SLOWLY FOLDED HIS NAPKIN
Chapter 1 – THE SILVER ROSARY AND THE FORGED SIGNATURE
The dining room fell into absolute silence.
Matteo stared at Celeste. The silver gown she wore suddenly looked less like bridal elegance and mo…
GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES AND CLEAN IT UP!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE SCREAMED AFTER POURING RED WINE OVER MY UNIFORM DURING HIS MOTHER’S 80TH BIRTHDAY DINNER—BUT WHEN SHE ORDERED ME TO REMOVE THE OLD WOMAN FROM THE TABLE, HIS MOTHER GRABBED MY WRIST AND SAID, “ROMAN, BEFORE YOU MARRY THAT WOMAN, ASK HER WHAT SHE DID TO YOUR FIRST WIFE.
Chapter 1 – The Silver Bracelet In The Dark
Victoria’s champagne glass shattered against the hardwood floor.
Roman didn’t flinch. He didn’t even look at the broken crystal scattering across his expe…
THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME SET AN EXTRA PLATE FOR A 76-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AT HIS ENGAGEMENT DINNER—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE CAME HERE BEGGING FOR MONEY,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY THE WOMAN WAS CRYING.
Chapter 1 – The Missing Heir Serving The Dinner
One more plate.
That was all I needed to put on the dining table.
But Bianca Voss was standing three feet away, watching my every move.
And the elde…
THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME WIPE SPILLED SOUP FROM HIS 81-YEAR-OLD FATHER’S DINNER JACKET—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “HE KNOCKED THE BOWL OVER HIMSELF,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY THE OLD MAN WAS SITTING ALONE AT THE END OF THE TABLE
Chapter 1 – THE PRICE OF A HIDDEN TRUTH
Gabriel didn’t shout.
He didn’t throw the photograph.
He simply stared at the image of the man who shared his eyes.
Then he looked at Isabella.
The silence…