I GRABBED THE MAFIA BOSS’S ARM AT HIS FAMILY DINNER AND WHISPERED, “PLEASE DON’T LET MY HUSBAND TAKE ME OUTSIDE”—BECAUSE HE WAS HOLDING A BABY HE’D JUST INTRODUCED AS HIS SON. WE HAD SPENT ELEVEN YEARS TRYING TO HAVE A CHILD.
Chapter 2 – The Paperwork In The Red Envelope
The silence in the dining room was heavy enough to crush glass.
I stared at David, my husband of thirteen years, who was now pinned between Alessandro V…
“STOP MAKING THOSE HAND SIGNS. YOU’RE EMBARRASSING HIS FAMILY!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE GRABBED MY WRIST IN FRONT OF THIRTY DINNER GUESTS—BUT WHEN HIS DEAF SISTER STARTED CRYING, I RISKED MY JOB TO TELL HIM WHAT SHE WAS REALLY SAYING.
Chapter 2 – THE SILVER KEY IN THE DESIGNER PURSE
“Vanessa… what papers?”
Luca’s voice wasn’t a shout. It was a terrifying, hollow whisper that seemed to suck all the oxygen out of the massive dining…
THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME PLACE A CHIPPED BLUE COFFEE MUG BESIDE A SIXTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AT HIS ENGAGEMENT DINNER—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE’S JUST A DINER OWNER LOOKING FOR A DONATION,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY THE WOMAN HAD KEPT THE SAME TABLE RESERVED FOR HIS LATE FATHER EVERY THURSDAY FOR EIGHTEEN YEARS.
Chapter 2 – THE PHOTOGRAPH ON THE FLOOR
The silence in the dining room was so absolute that I could hear the rain tapping against the tall glass windows.
Thirty-two of Chicago’s most influential peo…
VANESSA TOLD THE MAFIA BOSS I HAD BURNED MY ARM ON THE STOVE—BUT LUCA KNEW THE STOVE HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED ALL WEEK.
Chapter 2 – A SILVER LOCKET ON THE OFFICE FLOOR
“Who else has she been speaking for?”
Luca Moretti’s voice was barely a whisper, but it carried the weight of a falling gavel. He stood by the massive…
“STOP MAKING THAT ANNOYING NOISE! THIS IS A PRIVATE FAMILY DINNER, NOT A PLAYGROUND!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE SNAPPED AT MY SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SON, THEN ORDERED ME TO DRAG HIM OUT OF THE DINING ROOM. BUT MY BOY WHISTLED THREE NOTES BEFORE LEAVING. THE 34-YEAR-OLD MAFIA BOSS DROPPED HIS FORK. HE HADN’T HEARD THAT SECRET SIGNAL IN FOUR YEARS. “WHO TAUGHT YOU THAT?” HE ASKED. MY SON POINTED AT THE WOMAN IN THE RED DRESS.
Chapter 2 – The Ring Beneath The Table
The dining room went completely silent.
Even the clinking of crystal glasses stopped. Thirty powerful, wealthy guests held their breath as Adrian Moretti stare…
“DON’T LET HER GIVE A TOAST! THIS IS MY ENGAGEMENT DINNER, NOT A RETIREMENT PARTY!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE MOCKED HIS 78-YEAR-OLD MOTHER FOR STRUGGLING TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF THIRTY-SIX GUESTS—BUT WHEN THE MAID QUIETLY SAID, “SHE’S BEEN PRACTICING FOR YOU,” LUCA MORETTI PUT DOWN HIS GLASS.
Chapter 2 – THE EMPTY SEAT AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE
The grand dining room of the Moretti mansion had never been this quiet.
Thirty-six of Chicago’s most influential people sat frozen. The only sound…
“TAKE THAT THING OUT OF HER EAR! IT’S MAKING EVERYONE UNCOMFORTABLE!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 78-YEAR-OLD MOTHER FOR WEARING HER HEARING AID AT THEIR ENGAGEMENT DINNER—BUT WHEN TERESA SAID, “I HEARD WHAT YOU TOLD HIM ABOUT ME,” LUCA MORETTI SLOWLY PUT DOWN HIS GLASS.
Chapter 2 – THE SECRET IN THE DRAWING
The crystal chandeliers above the dining table suddenly felt blinding.
Thirty-six guests sat in suffocating silence, their eyes darting between Luca, his mother…
THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE INVITED MY ESTRANGED HUSBAND TO THEIR ENGAGEMENT DINNER AND ORDERED ME TO SERVE HIM—THEN SHE SAID, “THEY’VE BEEN APART LONG ENOUGH. I THOUGHT A REUNION WOULD BE SWEET.” BUT WHEN HE REACHED FOR MY WRIST, LUCA NOTICED I WAS SHAKING TOO HARD TO POUR HIS WATER.
Chapter 2 – THE EMPTY SEAT IN THE CAR
The silence in the dining room felt like a physical weight pressing against my chest.
Twenty-six wealthy guests stared at us.
Nobody lifted a glass. Nobody spo…
MY 11-YEAR-OLD STEPDAUGHTER CROSSED OUT THE WORD “MOM” ON HER SCHOOL DRAWING AT THE MAFIA BOSS’S ENGAGEMENT DINNER—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “GOOD GIRL. YOU UNDERSTAND SHE’S NOT YOUR REAL MOTHER.” BUT WHEN LUCA ASKED WHY THE CHILD WAS CRYING, SHE WHISPERED, “I DON’T WANT HER TO STOP LOVING ME.”
Chapter 2 – The Empty Promise
Vanessa Bellini’s perfect smile dissolved, leaving her face pale and taut in the chandelier light.
Twenty-six elite donors, wearing their finery, stared at her. The sil…
“STOP WAVING YOUR HANDS AT THE TABLE! YOU’RE MAKING MY GUESTS THINK THIS IS A CIRCUS!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 25-YEAR-OLD MAID FOR SIGNING TO HIS MOTHER’S DEAF BEST FRIEND—BUT WHEN THE WOMAN SIGNED, “YOUR SON DOESN’T KNOW WHAT SHE’S BEEN TOLD,” LUCA MORETTI TURNED TOWARD HIS FIANCÉE.
Chapter 2 – THE BROCHURE IN THE SILK PURSE
“Left out of what?” Luca’s voice dropped an octave, the kind of quiet that usually preceded a storm in the Moretti family.
He didn’t look at Vanessa. His d…