“Dad—” I called after him. If I knew what his resistance was, I could assure him. I could fix it. Max wasmychoice, and the last thing I wanted was to be sold to someone else. I’d already given up my desire to be involved in the Family. I’d lived on the outside. Couldn’t he give me this?
He whirled, his temper bursting through the surface. “Leona!”
I glanced toward the stairs as my cheeks warmed in embarrassment. That shout echoed off the marble staircase all the way downstairs to all the waiting partygoers. At least Cas had already gone.
“I have made myself clear! You willnotmarry Maximiliano, and that is final. If you’re so desperate to be married, I’ll arrange another suitor for your hand. Please let this be the last time we speak of this.”
Shame twisted my stomach and burned my cheeks. But I wouldn’t let his foolishness ruin my future. I sucked in a breath, lifting my chin and dropping my shoulders to stare right back at him.
“Cuore mio, I love you so much.” He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Only then did I start to see the salt and pepper gray around his temples and the wrinkles at his eyes. He looked exhausted. “You won’t understand now, but you will eventually. Please, trust me on this. I’m doing what is best for you.”
I let go of my breath and closed my eyes. “Alright, Father.”
I wouldn’t fight him on this right now. But I also wouldn’t give up on Max. We were meant to be together. So I nodded, clenched my jaw, and walked past him with my head held high.
2
LEONA
As calm and collected as possible, I descended the stairs to the waiting crowds of people ready to celebrate my birthday. The room was filled to the brim.
Members from all Five Families mingled throughout the room. My eyes snapped to three other mafia heads—Don Tommaso, Don Sandrini, and Don Lucchese—with their security teams’ cunning eyes scrutinizing as my father and I entered the great room. There were other business associates of my father; some I recognized, but most I didn’t.
Finally, and with massive relief, I caught the eyes of some of my friends from college who had been cleared to visit for the occasion. At least I’d knowsomepeople at my own birthday party, but that was how these events went. They were primarily used for business dealings, with the facade of a celebration to cover up their true nature. I was used to it by now.
“Welcome, all!” My father waved with a giant smile, completely contrasting the frustration he had shown me minutes earlier. Cheers and toasts echoed through the room, and I stepped off the stairs, my father right behind me.
Dad shined during events like this. He was a sociable man, and while I didn’t spend much time paying attention to thecriminal side of things, I always knew he excelled at business when surrounded by the luxury of a party. He had held on to our title as one of the Five Families, growing our Family to one of the most powerful because of the deals and alliances he made while hosting these events. They literally secured our future, and all because he came alive underneath the party lights.
“Please join me in wishing my beloved daughter, Leona, a happy twenty-first birthday!” His hand came to rest gently on my back.
I smiled at the cheers, waved at my friends, and leaned into his side, the fight from earlier already fading. My party might be a front for business he needed to conduct, but I knew he took care to make this evening as special as possible. He loved me, and he spoiled me to show it. Everything was decorated in black and gold, exactly as I requested, with massive flower centerpieces on all the party tables, a gigantic black and gold balloon arch in the corner of the room next to a photo wall, and table settings that shined under the party lights. Waitstaff circled the room with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, ensuring every guest remained happy. The gifts table was overflowing.
“Please, stuff yourself on the food and prepare for the greatest dessert spread known to man. The cake is, in my humble opinion, worth killing over.” The crowd laughed as my father unbuttoned his suit and playfully patted his stomach, giving them a glimpse at one of his concealed handguns. I couldn’t stop the smile from breaking out on my face. Even if he was a mafia boss in charge of a multi-billion dollar empire, he still couldn’t help himself from being adad. “Dance, drink, and enjoy the evening!”
The DJ’s music immediately swept through the room as people mingled toward the buffet tables placed throughout the dining room, the great hall, and the patio outside.
Dad kissed me on my temple before whispering in my ear. “Go have fun,cuore. I’ll be talking to the othercapos,and I’ll join you for cake later. Stay close to Caspian.”
Cas stood across the hall, holding two glasses of champagne. His dark blue eyes caught mine, and he held up a glass. I smirked. He would never catch me drinking underage again. Now, he’d just have to carry me home from parties passed out drunk,completely legally.
Next to Cas stood the man I dreamed of marrying, Maximiliano Volpe, watching my father and me with his standard, guarded expression. My lips parted, and my heart lurched.God, he was so beautiful.
I quickly wrapped my arms around Dad’s neck and squeezed him. “Thank you for the party, Dad.”
He gave me one last kiss, and then we parted, him going off toward the other mafia Dons while I headed toward Max and Cas.
Max stood in his dark gray bespoke suit that highlighted how his body was made of sleek and sturdy muscle, already drawing the attention of multiple women throughout the room. I might not be part of the Family business, but I wasn’t above stabbing a bitch should she encroach upon my man. His light, sandy blond hair stood out against the dark color of the suit. His entire look was polished, the epitome ofput-together. I knew his perfect looks matched the successful businessman and mafioso he truly was, but I also knew that underneath the polished and powerful exterior still laid the child that used to sing me to sleep.
Both men watched as I hurried across the room, practically bursting with excitement to start partying with my two best friends. The evening would consist of dancing, drinking, eating, and cake. When we were too exhausted to stand, we’d collapse on the massive couch by the fireplace in the living room and sleep until 10 am, just like we were teenagers again.
Max and Cas were four years older than me, but that didn’t stop us from being inseparable as kids. I used to follow them around, begging to be included in their training, but Dad never let me since he didn’t believe it was ladylike to learn how to kill the way they learned. At first, I kicked and screamed to be allowed, but after too many years of being shut down, I gave up fighting.
Mostly, I hated that they got separated and had time to become close while I was always left behind. All I wanted was to be included—not to be left alone in this great big house—so every day after they were done with training, we’d meet up and play until the sun went down. I was counting on tonight being focused onusas friends, hanging out again.
Once I was Max’s wife, we would all be as close as we used to be. Me and Max ruling the world with Cas at our side.
I plucked the champagne glass from Cas’s fingers while he looped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into a quick side hug.
