THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE ORDERED ME TO THROW AWAY HIS LATE FATHER’S OLD ARMY JACKET—BUT WHEN LUCA SAW WHAT FELL FROM THE POCKET, HE STOPPED THE ENTIRE PARTY.

The private room at the new rehabilitation center looked like a high-end hotel suite. Sun poured through the large windows, illuminating the fresh flowers on the bedside table.

My father sat up in his bed, looking more rested than he had in months.

When we walked in, his eyes lit up. But when he saw Luca walking beside me, his hand respectfully resting on the small of my back, my father’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Hi, Dad,” I smiled, walking over to hug him carefully.

My father patted my back, looking at Luca over my shoulder with a questioning raised eyebrow.

Luca chuckled softly. “Good morning, Arthur. Yes, my intentions are entirely honorable.”

My father actually smiled—a crooked, beautiful smile I hadn’t seen since before his stroke.

“I brought you something, Dad,” I said, pulling back.

I reached into my purse and pulled out the polished silver pocket watch.

My father gasped. His trembling hands reached out, taking the watch with a reverence that broke my heart. He rubbed his thumb over his grandfather’s engraved initials on the back, tears welling in his eyes.

He looked up at me, trying to form a word.

“Th… th…” he stammered, fighting through the neurological block. “Thank… you.”

“You’re welcome, Dad,” I cried, kissing his forehead.

Luca stepped forward. He was holding something folded over his arm.

It was the faded green Army jacket.

“Arthur,” Luca said, his tone turning serious and deeply respectful. “I know what my father did. I know the position he put you in. And I know you sacrificed your own peace to protect Leo.”

Luca laid the heavy green jacket on the edge of the bed.

“When I was going through the jacket last night, preparing to have it cleaned, I found one last thing stitched into the collar.”

Luca reached into his inner breast pocket and pulled out a small, sealed envelope. He handed it to me.

“It’s addressed to you, Emma,” Luca said quietly.

I stared at my name written in my sister Clara’s beautiful, flowing handwriting.

My hands shook as I broke the seal and unfolded the delicate paper.

My dearest Emma,

If you are reading this, I am gone. I am leaving this letter in the lining of Michael’s jacket because it is the only place Vanessa would never look.

I need you to know how much I love you and Dad. I am leaving tonight with Luca. We are going to start a new life, away from the shadows. But if something goes wrong, I need you to know that the baby I am carrying is the light of my life. If anything happens to me, promise me you will look for him. Promise me you will not let the darkness take him.

Be brave, little sister. You have a heart of gold. Do not let this world harden it.

All my love, Clara.

I clutched the letter to my chest, a sob escaping my throat.

She had loved him so much. She had loved all of us.

Luca wrapped his arms around me from behind, holding me tightly against his chest while I cried. My father reached out and gripped my hand, tears streaming silently down his weathered face.

“I found him, Clara,” I whispered to the empty room. “I found him.”

Luca kissed the top of my head. “She knew you would.”

We stayed at the facility for hours, sitting by my father’s side, talking about the future. For the first time, we weren’t talking about the syndicate, or Vanessa, or the past. We talked about Leo’s school, the upcoming holidays, and the possibility of my father moving into the mansion’s ground-floor guest suite when he was strong enough.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the room, my father looked at Luca.

He pointed to me, then pointed to Luca, and gave a firm, singular nod.