The Crown I Stole

e mansion under the guise of planning the gala, clipboard in hand and fabricated enthusiasm in he

and blueprints of the Castello properties. "It's not just drugs and weapons anymore. They've got legi

ning. "That's how they're laundering the money. The

nst her notepad. "But there's something else. Dante's running operations differentl

ll there-just outsourced. More efficient, less messy.

rved in Dante's eyes. "I'm not underestimating him. But I need t

arco asked. "Foun

ht Dante watching her with an intensity that went beyo

from inside Blackgate is that your father's condition is deteriora

flee while he stayed behind to face the Castello hitmen. The official story was that Antonio Ricci had di

ide her emotions. "There has to be something that connects him d

an use to kill him,

sn't enough. I want to take everything from h

ate server in the Castello mansion. If it exists,

ed. "But first, I need to esta

-

f working closely with the household staff, learning their routines and earning their trust. Mrs. Ve

her at the door. "I brought those specialty teas you mentione

ftened slightly. "That was thou

t's the least I could do after all your help. Is Mr. Castello availa

ed. "But he has a guest. Antonio Ros

d betrayed her father to the Castellos. She had been ex

her voice level. "Perhaps

he grand staircase. "Mr. Castello asked to be infor

si had never met Sofia Bianchi, and he hadn't seen Alessia Ricci since she was sixteen, before she'd dyed her hair, lost weig

tudy door and entered afte

s here, sir,"

is desk, looking impeccable in a navy suit that emphasized his broad shoulders. Across from him

. Antonio, this is Sofia Bianchi, the event planner I mentioned. S

g. Alessia felt a chill run down her spine but

u, Mr. Rossi. I've hea

wise, Ms. Bianchi. Dante tells me you're

nk about how this man had stood by while her family was slaughte

Dante said, coming around his desk. "She's suggested se

e indeed. Giovanni rarely approves o

me. Giovanni must be Dante's head of

oday, Sofia. Antonio here has some additional guests he'd like to add to

eals with Dante, preferring to keep their interactions s

said smoothly.

each his eyes. "We'll eat in the dinning room at one. Until

ded and turned to leave. As she reache

k remarkably familiar

against her ribs. "I don't believe so, Mr.

longer, then shrugged. "Must be

with a practiced smile. "I

ed a slow, steady breath. That had been close-too

ssi genuinely suspicious, or was it just her paranoia? Either way, she needed to accelerate

from an unknown number. "Be c

e Castello organization-someone he had

to Dante's private files, and she needed it soon. Which mea

c felt like a betrayal of everything she stood for. But what

cing herself to focus on the task at hand. The event was now just

d her. "Come in," she calle

ithout Rossi. He stepped into the

ss," he said without preamble. "H

's understandable in your line of work. Pe

rowed slightly.

nts," she clarified smoothly. "Securi

room, perching on the edge of her desk. The position plac

, his voice dropping to a lower register tha

g her expression neutral.

earching. "Most people in your position try to ingrati

lied, holding his gaze. "And my on

that held genuine amusement. "Now

ed toward the door. "I look forward to lun

she hadn't realized she was holding. Dante Castello was t

She had infiltrated the lion's den, and now she needed to tame t

-

ass ceiling, illuminating the lush tropical plants that filled the space. A

er feeling exposed. As they discussed the gala guest list, she maintained her pr

told her, Rossi had betrayed her father because he believed Antonio Ricci was weak. That he cared more about peace

nce," Dante was saying, "along with thr

, taking a sip of water. "Your foundation mu

erprivileged areas over the past three years," Dante replied. "We've also estab

overhead," Rossi added with a meaningf

enough on the surface, but she would bet her life that a significant portion

ing the conversation, "will your father be attending

s expression remained neutral, but Alessia

ed evenly. "Extended medical treatment.

ore's health has been poor for some time," he added, his t

ence, Salvatore Castello had stepped down three years ago, supposedly for health reasons. But the timing ha

so important. I lost my parents when I was youn

ricated orphan background. But she needed to

sion appropriately somber. "How did th

smoothly. "I was sixteen. M

eyes studying her face. "You've d

g her. She met his gaze directly. "We all have our crosses to bear, Mr. C

e," he corrected. "And you're right, o

s-all wealthy businessmen with questionable connections-and agreed to Dante's suggestions for the menu. By

ee, Dante's phone buzzed. He chec

tly. "I need to take this. Antonio,

si-the man who had betrayed her family. She fought to

esturing toward the door Dante had just exited

apable," Alessia

e, Ms. Bianchi? Don't get too attached. Dante doesn't

ade Alessia's skin crawl. "I'm just her

h his eyes. "But I've seen how he looks at you. And h

ks warm despite herse

ding. "But in this family, Ms.

sing the interaction. Rossi was suspicious-not necessarily of her true identity, but of her intention

hadn't been there before, tucked partially under her napkin. Hear

office to open it. Inside was a key card with

, last door on the left

rson. Dante Castello was inviting her into his

t could be the opportuni

here at midnight. Because whatever game

in a dimly lit security room, Dante was watching h

is head of security, asked from beside

interrupted. "I'

taking an unn

she tucked the key card into her pocket. "On the

d. "This isn't

ovanni," Dante replied so

te his confidence, he couldn't deny the strange effect she had on him-an effect that had not

anticipated. A weakne

that might just cha