THE MAFIA BOSS WATCHED ME STRUGGLE TO REMOVE HIS DAUGHTER’S PLACE SETTING WITH ONE BANDAGED HAND—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE HURT IT IN THE GUEST ROOM,” BEFORE HE EVEN ASKED WHAT HAPPENED. I had almost reached the kitchen when the little porcelain plate slipped from my injured hand.

The red light on the detonator blinked steadily in Marco’s hand.

Maria Moretti stared at it, the silver revolver trembling in her grip.

“You’re bluffing,” she sneered, though her voice wavered. “You wouldn't blow up a house with your own sister inside.”

Marco’s dark eyes shifted, devoid of any familial warmth. “My sister sold me out to your son’s men three hours ago, Maria. She told them where to find me. She figured if I died, there would be no one left to stop her from taking the Bellini throne.”

The revelation hit like a physical weight.

Vanessa wasn't just plotting against Luca. She had ordered a hit on her own brother to secure power.

“Now,” Marco said, his voice dropping to a deadly calm. “I’m going to ask you one more time. Put the gun down.”

Maria swallowed hard. Slowly, she lowered the revolver, tossing it onto the carpet.

Marco turned his gaze to me.

“Bring the kid out, Grace.”

I froze. He knew my name.

“How do you know who I am?” I asked, my voice tight.

Marco tilted his head. “Because you’re the one who let me in.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

“What?” I breathed, stepping back. “I didn't—”

“The back kitchen door,” Marco interrupted. “You left it propped open at four o'clock this afternoon. Right after Vanessa crushed your hand in the door.”

My stomach plummeted.

I had left it open. My mother had driven across town to drop off a tube of prescription pain cream because I couldn't afford to go to a clinic. I had propped the door open with a brick so she could slip it inside without alerting Mrs. Carter.

I had left it open for exactly three minutes.

And in those three minutes, the most dangerous enforcer in Chicago had slipped into the house.

“You used me,” I whispered.

“I survived because of you,” Marco corrected. “Vanessa’s men were waiting for me at the front gate. If I hadn't come through the kitchen, I’d be dead in the driveway.”

He took a step closer.

“Now, give me the girl. She’s the only leverage I have left against my father and your boss.”

“No!”

The shout didn't come from me.

It came from the end of the hallway.

Vanessa stood there, her red silk gown torn at the hem. She looked completely unhinged. In her hands, she held the same suppressed pistol the fake guest had dropped earlier.

She pointed it directly at her brother.

“It’s over, Marco,” Vanessa screamed. “Luca is tied to a chair in the dining room. Carlo has secured the house. You have no men left.”

Marco didn't even flinch. He just looked at his sister with profound sadness.

“You really think Carlo is going to let you live after tonight, V?” he asked quietly. “You think a man who betrays his best friend is going to stay loyal to a spoiled princess?”

Vanessa’s hands shook. “Shut up! I am the new queen of this family!”

She turned the gun toward me.

“Grace. Step away from the door. Now.”

I didn't move. I spread my arms wider, blocking the entrance to the bedroom.

“I said move!” Vanessa shrieked.

Suddenly, Ella ran out from the bathroom.

She ignored me. She ignored Vanessa. She ran straight toward Marco.

“Ella, no!” I screamed, reaching for her.

But I was too slow.

Ella grabbed Marco’s leg, hiding behind his massive frame.

Marco looked down at the little girl, surprised.

“He saved me,” Ella yelled at Vanessa, tears streaming down her face. “When Grandma left me, he put his coat on me and told me to run! He didn't want to hurt me!”

Vanessa laughed—a high, hysterical sound.

“He’s a killer, Ella! He was using you!”

Marco gently pushed Ella back behind him. He looked at Vanessa.

“I was going to use her,” Marco admitted softly. “But then I saw her sitting on the curb in the rain. Crying because her father didn't want her.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the broken rosary.

He threw it at Vanessa’s feet.

“That belonged to our mother, Vanessa. The woman who died trying to protect us from this life. And you were just going to sell this kid into the exact same nightmare.”

Vanessa stared at the rosary on the floor. For a fraction of a second, the mask of the ruthless mafia queen slipped, revealing a terrified, broken young woman.

Then, her eyes hardened.

She raised the gun, aiming right at Marco’s chest.

“I’m sorry, brother,” she whispered.

Before she could pull the trigger, the lights in the mansion completely died.

Total, suffocating darkness instantly swallowed the hallway.