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…
SEAT HER WITH THE STAFF! SHE KEEPS CALLING ME BY A NAME THAT ISN’T MINE!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 80-YEAR-OLD MOTHER IN FRONT OF FORTY GUESTS—BUT WHEN THE 28-YEAR-OLD MAID HEARD THE OLD WOMAN WHISPER, “SHE WORKED FOR YOUR FATHER,” LUCA VENTURI STOPPED MID-TOAST.
Chapter 1 – THE PROMISE WRITTEN IN SILVER
“Because Rebecca didn’t return to this family by accident, Luca. Your father sent her away when he discovered what her mother had promised she would someday …
“TAKE THAT OLD MAN’S PLATE AWAY! HE’S HAD ENOUGH!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 27-YEAR-OLD MAID FOR SERVING HIS FATHER DINNER IN FRONT OF THIRTY-SIX GUESTS—BUT WHEN THE OLD MAN BEGGED HER NOT TO LEAVE HIM ALONE, THE MAFIA BOSS PUT DOWN HIS FORK AND ASKED ONE QUESTION THAT MADE HIS FIANCÉE GO PALE
Chapter 1 – THE BLOOD ON THE POCKET WATCH
The silence in the dining room was so absolute I could hear the crystal chandeliers softly clicking in the draft.
Thirty-six guests sat frozen, their expens…
SHE IS NOT YOUR MOTHER! STOP EMBARRASSING YOURSELF!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE SCREAMED AT HIS 11-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER DURING THEIR ENGAGEMENT DINNER—THEN ORDERED HIS 26-YEAR-OLD MAID TO DRAG THE CRYING GIRL UPSTAIRS. BUT WHEN THE CHILD WHISPERED, “DADDY, SHE TOLD ME YOU DIDN’T WANT ME ANYMORE,” THE ENTIRE ROOM WE
Chapter 1 – THE SOUND OF A DEADLY LOCK
The click of the dining room doors locking echoed like a gunshot.
Raymond stood inches behind me. I could smell the scotch on his breath.
Gabriel didn’t shout…
“STOP DESCRIBING THE ROOM TO HER! SHE’S BLIND, CLAIRE—SHE DOESN’T NEED TO KNOW WHO’S HERE!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 27-YEAR-OLD MAID FOR HELPING HIS 82-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER AT THEIR ENGAGEMENT DINNER—BUT WHEN SERENA INTRODUCED HER UNCLE, THE OLD WOMAN CRUSHED MY HAND. “ROMAN…
Chapter 1 – The Silver Locket
“We were told to leave one witness alive—so that someday, she could lead Serena back to you.”
The stranger’s words hung in the dining room like a guillotine blade waiti…
THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME HELP A 53-YEAR-OLD WOMAN PICK UP THE PHOTOGRAPHS HIS FIANCÉE HAD THROWN ACROSS THE DINING ROOM FLOOR—THEN SHE SAID, “SHE’S JUST A BITTER DIVORCED WOMAN TRYING TO RUIN OUR ENGAGEMENT,”
Chapter 1 – THE SIGNATURE ON THE FINAL PAGE
Vincent stared at the woman in the red silk gown.
“You promised him my money, Serena?”
The dining room was so quiet I could hear the hum of the chandelie…
“TAKE THAT WOMAN BACK TO THE KITCHEN, GRACE! SHE DOESN’T BELONG AT THIS TABLE!” THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE HUMILIATED HIS 27-YEAR-OLD MAID FOR HELPING AN ELDERLY CATERING WORKER SIT DOWN AT THEIR ENGAGEMENT DINNER—BUT WHEN THE WOMAN QUIETLY CALLED HIS FIANCÉE BY HER CHILDHOOD NICKNAME, ADRIAN BELLUCCI PUT DOWN HIS GLASS
Chapter 1 – THE NAVY COAT AND THE MISSING BRACELET
The heavy silence of the dining room hung in the air as Adrian turned and walked toward the grand staircase.
I followed closely behind him, my hear…
THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME SLIP A DINNER PLATE TO HIS 71-YEAR-OLD FAMILY COOK DURING HIS ENGAGEMENT PARTY—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE CAN EAT WHATEVER THE STAFF LEAVE BEHIND,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY THE WOMAN WHO’D RAISED HIM WAS CRYING IN THE KITCHEN.
Chapter 1 – The Cook Who Raised The Boss
“Don’t take that plate out there, Sophie.”
I stopped beside the kitchen doorway.
Mrs. Rosa Alvarez was sitting on a wooden stool, holding a dish towel in he…
THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME WRAP MY OWN COAT AROUND HIS 78-YEAR-OLD GODMOTHER AT HIS ENGAGEMENT DINNER—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE SHOWED UP UNINVITED,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHY THE WOMAN WAS SOAKED FROM HEAD TO TOE
Chapter 1 – THE LIES WE SWALLOW
Marco did not yell.
He didn’t throw his glass or overturn the table.
He simply stared at the woman he had planned to marry.
“You visited my brother in prison,” Marc…