ntin

s the Lombardi family used. I built the financial architecture for three of their most profitable front businesses, turning them from fl

ghost in h

for the promise of a n

. "Valentina, this is a chance to work directly for the Don. Dante Lombardi doesn't make offers like

d. "My place is with Marco, Salv

understood was pity. "Loyalty is a precious thing, c

e walls, their eyes scanning the room, their hands never far from the guns hidden beneath their jackets. At the head of the room, on a slightly raised dais, sat the Capos, the lieutenants of the Lombardi empire. And above them all, in a sha

e was laughing, a glass of champagne in his hand,

lla M

de, innocent eyes that were a complete lie. She leaned into him, whispering some

lways said. "No need to put a target on our ba

protection. It was for his convenience. So

he pieces grinding together with a p

they locked with mine. A slow, triumphant smile spread a

last thread of my

on narrowing until they were the only two people in the roo

ice was quiet, but it

e. Annoyance flickered in his eyes before he

my gaze fixed on his hand, still on Isabel

mask of confusion. She clung to Marc

r the place," Marco hissed, h

ng. "When were you going to tell me you married the daugh

c stopped. Every eye was on us. I could feel Dante L

rried? Mark, what is she talking about? Is this the woman

ace turning a dark red. "You're making

ken sound. "You bastard. You lying, cheating basta

. "Young lady, these are serious accusations

My proof was the projects I'd bled for, the career I'd sacrif

wing how it sounded. "He had me sign pa

sn't a loyal partner being defended. I was a

t. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice just loud enough for those near

idden from the others, her eyes

her voice a poisonous whisper i

rcing shriek as she collapsed to the floor, cl

g at me with pure hatred. "What did you do?" he roared, his voi