Chapter 1

At the annual Family council, an extra chair had been placed beside Grayson Moretti, the new Don and my secret boyfriend of seven years.

He waved me over from across the room.

My heart raced as I quickened my steps.

"Lora, come!" Grayson called.

Lora Vance, in a wine-red velvet gown, stepped out from behind me and settled gracefully into that extra chair.

I froze. The blood in my veins went cold.

Behind me, the maids whispered among themselves.

"Wow, Lora and the Don look so perfect together!"

"No wonder there's an extra chair this year. I heard a couple days ago that the Don was going to announce his secret girlfriend today. I didn't believe it, but look, it's true!"

Grayson smiled and handed Lora a glass of red wine.

A server dropped a glass, and a shard sliced across my arm. Blood welled from the cut.

Grayson's gaze swept past me. He paused for a moment, then quickly looked away, reaching over to brush a strand of hair from Lora's shoulder.

The storm inside me suddenly went still.

A love like this? I was better off without it.

Chapter 1

I had no appetite. I got up and sat down at an empty table.

Lora came back from the restroom and walked over with a sweet smile. "Aria, they're just talking nonsense. Don't take it to heart."

I didn't even look at her. "Sure."

Lora laughed softly. "You know Grayson is doing this to protect you. If people found out you were his woman, you'd be in danger."

With that, she glided away.

I sat there in a daze, a weight pressing down on my chest.

When I was eighteen, I ran away from my family and found Grayson half-dead from a street fight.

I fought alongside him for seven years. For seven years, he told me he had too many enemies, that keeping our relationship secret was the only way to protect me.

All those years, he never once glanced my way in public, never spoke a single word to me.

The rare times I needed to report to him, he deliberately avoided me.

He was so careful about keeping his distance that no one in the Family knew about us. Despite being one of the longest-serving members, I was still just an ordinary soldier. To everyone else, I was invisible.

A few days ago, he said he had a surprise for me.

I'd thought all along that chair was meant for me. Clearly, I was wrong.

The council didn't end as planned. Halfway through, gunfire erupted outside.

A rival Family was attacking.

The security detail fought back while escorting us out.

We burst out of the estate. A man raised his gun at Grayson. My body moved faster than my mind, and I threw myself in front of him.

Bang. Searing pain ripped through my shoulder.

"Lora!" Grayson cried out.

I turned around just in time to see him pull Lora into his arms, shielding her like she was something priceless.

A sharper pain tore through my chest.

Gunfire continued. Black cars rolled in one after another. The Family's backup.

Grayson's gaze swept our way without really seeing. "Hurry, get in!"

He carried Lora and ducked into a car.

I stepped forward instinctively, but Logan Hale, one of the capos, grabbed my arm.

His face was dark. "What are you pushing for? Wait for the next one!"

I knew him. He'd joined the Family two years ago, brought in by Lora. He was close to her.

He always found little ways to put me down.

I clenched my fists. The old me would have slapped him across the face, but Grayson had told me more than once to rein in my temper.

Otherwise, he would never go public about us.

When the last car arrived, a soldier who was friendly with me tried to pull me in, but Logan shoved him inside instead. "No room. Go!"

Gunfire closed in. I glanced back at the men chasing us and dove into the bushes.

I barely managed to shake them off before reaching the rally point.

Most of the others were already there, except Lora and Grayson.

I sat in the shadows beneath a grape arbor and pulled out a med kit to tend to my wound in silence.

Low murmurs drifted from the other side of the arbor.

"The Don held Lora the whole time, shielding her from the gunfire. So sweet!"

"That old maid Aria is something else. The Don told everyone to get in the car, and she actually thought he was calling her. What was she thinking?"

"Right? The Don called Lora over to sit with him, and Aria took two steps forward like some kind of joke."

"She's probably obsessed with the Don, but he doesn't even look at her. That's even funnier!"

They broke into muffled laughter.

I stepped out of the shadows. Their laughter died instantly.

These people were all close to Lora, part of her little clique.

When they saw me, they shifted nervously, eyes darting around. One of them forced an ingratiating smile. "Aria, you're here too."

My face was blank. "Family Code, Rule 23: Never mock a brother. Those who insult are treated as enemies. Go find your capo and take your punishment."

Chapter 2

I hobbled back to the small villa on Shadow Boulevard, step by painful step.

This was the secret home Grayson and I shared. Only the two of us knew about it.

I pushed open the door and stopped cold.

Grayson sat on the couch with Lora draped across his lap. He was leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.

When he saw me come in, a flicker of awkwardness crossed his face before vanishing just as fast.

He asked, "Why didn't you get in the car?"

My gaze swept to Lora. "Would you have ridden with me?"

Grayson frowned. "Aria, you know I don't want anyone finding out about us. The only reason I look after Lora is because of you."

Two years ago, I'd rescued Lora from a human trafficker.

She said she was an orphan and begged me to take her in.

I pitied her and kept her by my side. Since I traveled often, I asked Grayson to watch over her.

At first, Grayson hadn't been thrilled. He said Lora was too high-maintenance. But at some point, he started mentioning her more and more.

Lora gradually claimed the space beside him.

And tonight, he had brought Lora to our private home.

This was our secret hideaway. We'd made a pact that this place belonged to the two of us alone, and no third person was ever allowed here.

But Grayson had broken his word. Again.

A bone-deep exhaustion crashed over me. I had no fight left. I turned and headed upstairs.

Grayson took a few quick steps and caught my wrist, a flash of concern in his eyes. "Aria, why are you so pale? Are you feeling alright?"

I shook my head.

Before Grayson could say anything else, Lora spoke up. "Aria, don't throw a tantrum. Grayson is the Don. He doesn't have time to coddle you."

Grayson's grip loosened without him realizing. I yanked free and marched upstairs.

I'd barely sat down when Lora appeared.

She stood in the doorway, her voice soft and syrupy. "Aria, you shouldn't be upset. Grayson's been worrying about you the whole time. He even called around, dropping hints to check on you."

A warmth stirred in my chest.

Lora toyed with something in her hands. A silver chain dangled down.

My eyes locked on it, and my voice trembled. "What is that?"

Lora smiled and opened her palm. Nestled inside was the engraved platinum pocket watch.

The color drained from my face. I shot to my feet. "Who gave that to you?"

That watch was an antique.

Two years ago, Grayson had made a show of winning it at auction, declaring he would give it to his girlfriend.

Then he'd given it to me on my birthday.

He got down on one knee and told me, "Aria, my heart is like this watch. It beats for you every second of every day."

I was afraid someone might recognize it, so I never dared wear it out. I could only keep it tucked in a drawer, sneaking it out to look at now and then.

Now it was in Lora's hands.

My expression hardened slightly. Lora flinched.

Grayson rushed in and steadied Lora by the waist. "I gave it to her. She's timid. The gunfight shook her up. Holding the watch calms her down."

I scoffed. "Really. Then why not give her a crucifix?"

Grayson frowned. "Watch your tone."

Tears welled in Lora's eyes. "Aria, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to borrow it for a couple of days. If you don't like it, I'll give it back."

Grayson pressed his hand over hers. "You don't have to."

I said the same thing. "No. You don't."

Something inside me snapped, and the suffocating weight gave way to lightness.

Forget it. I didn't want any of it anymore.

Grayson studied me. "You're not upset?"

I shot back, "Why would I be?"

Grayson's face darkened. "Aria, you're always like this. Hot-tempered and oversensitive. Look at Lora. She's never like you."

I smiled. "Then I wish you two a lifetime of happiness."

Grayson's temper flared. "You're my girlfriend!"

I smiled. "Not anymore."

Chapter 3

Grayson stared at me for a beat, then lunged forward and seized my chin. "Aria, what are you saying? You're my woman. You always will be."

He leaned in to kiss me.

A wave of revulsion hit me, and I shoved him away.

That only made him angrier. "Aria, you're so defiant. Lora would never push me away."

I took two steps back. "Oh? You've kissed her?"

"No, but we can fix that right now." Grayson pulled Lora to him and kissed her hard.

Bang. I slammed the door shut.

Once the world outside was sealed away, my legs gave out. I slid down against the door.

Seven years.

And this was all it amounted to.

On the other side of the door, Lora shut her eyes with delight, waiting for the kiss. It never came.

She opened her eyes to find Grayson glaring at the closed door.

I didn't wallow for long. I got back on my feet and started packing.

Our photos in the drawer, the little trinkets he'd given me, the love letters. I tore them all to pieces and threw them in the trash.

One by one, the things that held our memories were destroyed, and my heart grew quieter with each one.

The next day, I received word: the council would continue at a different estate. Everyone from the day before was required to attend.

When I arrived, a few women from the team were crowded around Lora.

"Wow, I've heard about this pocket watch. The Don made a big show of winning it at an auction two years ago. Said it was for his girlfriend. That's you, right, Lora?"

"So sweet. Lora, you and the Don have been together that long?"

"And during the shootout yesterday, the Don pulled Lora right into his arms. So hot!"

Lora covered her face in a show of shyness. "Oh, stop it. The Don told me not to say anything."

"You're wearing the watch. If that's not going public, what is?"

"Lora, that red velvet gown is worth tens of thousands of euros. Did the Don buy it for you?"

Lora nodded. "He did."

I paused.

I'd seen a red velvet gown in a shop window and loved it. I'd mentioned it to Grayson.

He said he'd buy it for me.

But the dress ended up on Lora.

At the time, Grayson had said, "Lora's an orphan. Giving her the gown shows the Family I value even ordinary members. It'll make them more loyal. Be a good girl, Aria. I'll get you something even prettier next time.

"She depends on you so much. She thinks of you as a big sister. You wouldn't be jealous of her, would you?"

What a fool I'd been. I actually believed him.

I downed a glass of wine and found our underboss, Dominic Russo, to tell him I was leaving.

Dominic sighed.

"Alright, Aria. If you want to go, go. Your rank has never matched your abilities.

"Seven years. Everyone who came up with you is in a top position now. Everyone except you, stuck as an ordinary soldier. I've brought it up to the Don multiple times. He always refused to promote you. Honestly, it's not fair."

I shook my head. "Forget it. I've made up my mind. Just don't let the Don find out."

"Done. Three days, and you're free."

A weight lifted.

On my way back, I passed a terrace and overheard voices above.

Grayson and Lora.

"Lora, were you the one chatting with someone at the cafe and leaking the location of our council?"

"I'm sorry, Grayson. That person was an old friend. I only said a few things."

"Because of you, we lost several soldiers!"

"What do I do, Grayson? You said you'd make me a probationary member of the intelligence unit. They can't find out about this. Help me, please."

Someone walked nearby. I pressed the button on my recorder and walked away.

Grayson was planning to put Lora in the intelligence unit?

The intelligence unit was a core division. Getting in was nearly impossible. It required at least three years as a probationary member.

It was the position I'd always wanted.

In just seven years, I'd made Grayson the Don, and I'd done it through my ability to gather intelligence.

But Grayson wouldn't allow it. He said the intelligence unit was too important, and transferring me there would make people suspect there was something between us.

Lora had been here two years. She had no accomplishments to her name. And she was getting a probationary slot.

What a joke.

By the time I got back, the council had just started.

The mood in the room was grim.

Grayson addressed the crowd. "Yesterday, our secret estate was breached because someone leaked our location. That person is most likely Aria."

What?

Chapter 4

My head snapped up, my mind buzzing. "It wasn't me!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Grayson, it was Lora who ran into a friend at the cafe and gave away the location of our council. Why are you pinning this on me?"

A flicker of panic crossed Grayson's face. He walked up to me. "Aria, watch what you say."

His hand brushed behind my ear in one swift motion as he lowered his voice. "Aria, take the fall for now. I'll explain later."

I froze. He'd taken my recorder.

For intelligence work, I always carried a miniature recorder clipped behind my ear, hidden by my hair, invisible to everyone.

Grayson knew my routine.

Lora burst into tears.

"I didn't do it! It wasn't me!

"I saw Aria go to that bar yesterday. She was the one who chatted with some man and leaked the information."

Grayson nodded. "That's right. We know Aria regularly visits a bar to meet a man."

I laughed.

Why did I go to the bar regularly?

Because I was gathering intelligence for Grayson. The man at the bar was one of my people, and he ran a sprawling intelligence network for me.

Grayson knew exactly why I went.

The crowd grew angrier.

"Aria, why would you frame Lora? Is it jealousy?"

"Because Lora is the Don's girlfriend, right?"

The fury I'd been holding back finally boiled over. "I'm Grayson's girlfriend! I've been with him for seven years!"

A stunned silence. They stared at me like I'd lost my mind, and a few snickers echoed through the hall.

I fixed my eyes on Grayson. "Grayson, tell them. Who is your girlfriend?"

This was his last chance.

Lora spoke first. "Aria, you and the Don have never even spoken. How could you possibly be a couple?"

Grayson was silent for a full five seconds. Then he said, "Aria, don't make things up. I barely know you."

"Fine." I laughed, tears streaming down my face. "Fine. You barely know me."

Suddenly, I didn't want to fight anymore.

I pulled the silver ring from my finger. It was the first thing Grayson ever gave me, the ring that sealed our promise.

We were both eighteen then.

Grayson had slipped the ring onto my finger and kissed my hand. "Aria, one day I'll give you something far more precious."

I'd worn that ring for seven years. Never once took it off.

Not anymore.

I hurled it at the floor.

Grayson's gaze hitched for a second before he looked away. "The council will continue. Lock Aria in the dungeon. Gather evidence. Interrogation tomorrow."

A squad of soldiers came and dragged me to the dungeon.

That night, Grayson showed up. He waved off his men.

"Aria, things were urgent. I needed you to take the heat for now. I'll say the evidence was insufficient and let you out soon.

"Lora didn't mean it. She was terrified. She's the girl you took in. Help her out."

I smirked. "Lora wasn't the only stray I took in. You were too. And now I'm done with both of you."

Grayson's expression iced over. "What did you just say?"

I couldn't be bothered. I closed my eyes. "Get out."

Grayson erupted. "Aria, you're getting more and more out of line. Stay here and think about what you've done. You'll get out when you come to your senses."

He stormed out.

I opened my eyes.

Ever since becoming Don, Grayson's temper had grown worse and worse. He couldn't tolerate even the slightest pushback.

Think about what I've done?

Right.

I pulled out my phone and sent a message: "I'm in the dungeon. Get me out within seven days, and I'll agree to the partnership."

The reply came almost instantly: "Three days. Wait for me."