Chapter 3

Siena POV He answered. His confident smile faltered. Then his face drained of color—turning a sickly, ashen gray.

“How is that possible?” he gasped. “Check the ledgers again!”

“What is wrong, my love?” Valentina asked, trembling.

Julian forced a stiff smile. “Nothing. A trivial matter.”

I threw my head back and laughed. Genuine, uncontrollable laughter.

“Something amusing?” he demanded.

“More than you can possibly imagine,” I replied. “The show is just beginning.”

He didn't know it yet, but the phone call that had just sent a tremor through his empire was the smallest of the bombs I had planted.

The dull hum of the exhaust fan suddenly became piercing. Thick cigar smoke hung suspended, and no one dared to exhale.

I thought about Maria again. Nearly a year ago, she had been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. The doctors gave her months. Only the black-market drugs—the ones I paid for in secret—had kept her alive.

Accounts that Julian’s men had frozen four days ago. To fund this casino’s grand opening.

I stopped laughing and looked at him.

“Your mother’s medication,” I said. “The payments come from an account your men froze four days ago. Did you know that?”

Julian’s head snapped toward me. “Are you responsible for this? Did you sabotage her prescription to get back at me?”

“Your mind is a filthy place,” I said. “I suggest you call your mother. Before you are left with a regret that will shadow the rest of your miserable life.”

Julian spun around and punched a stone pillar. His knuckles split open, blood smearing the gray stone. “You keep speaking ill of my mother! If you say one more word, my next punch will shatter your jaw!”

Valentina rushed forward with a silk handkerchief, crying fake tears. “Look at what she is making you do, my love. She is trying to tear your family apart.”

Julian softened toward Valentina instantly. He kissed her forehead. “I know my own mother’s health. She is perfectly fine.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “For your sake, Julian, I truly hope you are right.”

But he was not right. And deep down, I think he already knew.

“Do not find yourself lacking even the right to regret,” I warned him.

“Be silent!” Julian viciously silenced me, taking a threatening step forward. “You do not get to speak of my family anymore!”

I complied. I closed my mouth and crossed my arms, completely willing to let him dig his own grave.

Valentina rolled her eyes and stepped out from behind Julian’s shadow. “Do you actually regret signing the annulment? Is that what this is? You are using this drama to desperately grab Julian’s attention because you know no one else will ever want you.”

She reached for my arm. I shoved her away like filth.

“Remember your place,” Valentina hissed, poking my chest. “You are an expendable civilian. I am the one carrying the future of this family.”

She turned to the crowd, raising her voice. “Why are we letting her ruin this night? This is a night of celebration! Julian just opened the biggest casino in the district!”

The associates muttered in agreement. “Throw her out!” one shouted.

I tapped my fingernails against the mahogany table. The sharp clicking cut through their shouting.

“I never said you could not leave,” I stated with absolute boredom. “But a proper vendetta takes time. None of you are going anywhere until the debt is paid.”

Julian completely lost his temper. The veins in his neck bulged as he stormed up to me. “You are bluffing! I built these operations on my own blood!”

I leaned close to his ear. “Did you, Capo?” I whispered.

He flinched. I saw the first crack of genuine fear.

Julian’s phone rang again. He answered. His face twisted in sheer horror. His hand trembled violently.

“No,” he whispered. “No, no, no—”

He staggered backward as if he had been shot.