ra

ildfire. By mid-afternoon, I was summoned for tea with the wom

hina presided from her throne-like armchair, a silent, watchful queen. Eleonora, the current Don's wife an

here was G

ly painted lips were pulled into a smile that didn't reach her cold, calculating eyes. She had desperately wanted Eliga t

the most scandalous rumor. Kneeling on the rug like a common maid to tend to a dead enforcer's mutt? Is tha

letting out a soft, condescending titter. Her

Seraphina first, offering a flawles

a. It's lovely to see you." I took the seat Seraphina indicated-a low armchair tha

"My stepbrother might be fooled by a pretty face, but in this family, we expect

y background, my marriage, and my authorit

cer. The delicate clink of porcelain was

urned to me. "Gayla raises a point about dignity, Clara," Donna

g me, waiting to see if I would crumble or cry

o let the silence stretch. I placed the cup back on the saucer wi

arp. "I was maintaining an asset. A wounded soldier is a liability to the Syndi

heir comfortable lives. "My husband brought me into this family. Donna Seraphina has accept

iga. It is for the entire Russo name. Your personal feelings about me are your own, but

and turned it into a question of family loyalty. I had called h

ened and closed, but no words came out. She h

-smile. She turned to me, her gray eyes shinin

el. "Well said, Clara. Since you have such a strong sense of duty, perhaps it i

now, the boys' expenses, their tutors, and their security de

rossed her beautiful face. In the mafia, whoever controlled

bsolute control of their upbringing, their security personnel, and their financial stream

t been stripped of her primary leverage over Eliga's heirs. The boys were no lo

oment to seiz

luid motion, and offered

," I said, my voice ringing with quiet author

ersaries to stew in their own impotent, suffocating anger. Eleonora

rritory within the Russo empire, and I had solidified my al

I knew this was only a temporary truce. Women like Eleon

next time, they wouldn