The Mafia King's Pretend Wife

way of the Valmont Estate, her heart thudding with each step. Behind her, the massive double doors of the

n h

r mask, yanked it off, and tossed

have know

's knowledge. No one touched power wit

ges, hiding behind names, and faking a

le

than she expected. She turned the corner-f

ound her arm before

o walk away from

two years ago," she

ears ago, you disappeared and

ad than a

er cag

out in the middle of the night l

r mother. You stayed for the power. Don't rewr

use I couldn't breathe around you. Because eve

of si

s gravel. "Then why did you look at me like

ened. "You're im

ead. And I remember. You always looked at me lik

allowe

sn't

t terri

," she sai

t and pulled out a flash dri

idn't

e chasing ghosts. Maybe you're still looking for answers you never got. Like why yo

"What are you

he entire attack. Angles no one but the shooters should

at the fl

se daughter now wants a piece of your territory. T

stomach

gether," he added. "But you're in over your head.

age in silence from

Her own limp body was b

looked

tiny nod from the shooter to the man in the shado

se

where Alessandro ste

t an ac

rches

r had bet

ro had engin

ly walked into his

her second-in-command, a

t know," she muttered, do

gone to that party.

y. "He found me. I d

voice low. "And if you keep letting

save

owns

any

He's too calm. Too calculated. Men like that don't chase women out

d around the glass. "You

ill wan

dn't a

was answ

ause the last time you let your hear

later, Dant

a me

invit

ows and a man who said nothing but "Mr. Ca

very rational voice

ng at a priv

rolled to the forearm. His hair was windblown. H

r pulse reacted b

ow?" sh

to talk,"

bo

r fa

a fr

e died years a

to poison me yesterday using a formula only three people

m. "You think my

erground. And I think he's the one bankroll

s impo

why she turned on you. Not for power. For survival.

felt like the

find him," Dante said.

wou

you've built is a lie. And if he is

hesi

te said, holdin

as s

s dan

inevi

ok his

lew to

the skyline like watchful sentries. Dante had contacts in

pared Elena for

ent was in

r was u

e photo of her as a child. She crossed the room

as r

lived here h

an wasn't

her f

l al

orches

watc

ck of the photo was

But I never stopped watching. Don't

d silently

flicked t

asked. "That's

attered and furious.

ed herself another drink-he

, hands in his pockets. "

lied

ver l

me my father migh

know. Un

o help me-but to make sure I d

tur

me, he didn

re ri

blin

. Not just to me. To everyone. He knows every weakness i

why br

everything, I s

ust me? You're the reason I d

cause you were scared. Of me. Of yourself

e between

a

un

ctr

ret it?" sh

ry day I didn't fight h

s stinging. "I'm not

You're stronger. Sha

, his hand bru

more now than

br

ike he'd waited his

in the sheets and in each ot

dral, Alessandro Romano knelt before a pri

," he said.

"Then it's time we

door

an step

ome. Eyes l

at could slice

o loo

e home,

she believed had died at bir

e to burn