Chapter 3

Sophia Russo stopped me ten minutes before the ceremony.

Years earlier, I had spent twenty days beside her hospital bed after a shooting. She had held my hand and told me she had always wanted a daughter.

Now she spoke to me with the same calm voice she used during family meetings.

"Bianca will give the Russos an alliance and an heir. You will remain the woman Vincent trusts. When Bianca has a child, you can help raise it."

I stared at her.

"How long have you known?"

Sophia looked past me.

"A Don needs a wife who can protect his empire. He also needs a wife who can provide blood ties and alliances. Do not destroy ten years over a legal title."

My phone showed a new social media post.

Bianca wore a white dress and held unsigned marriage papers in one hand.

Her caption said that some women got the dress while other women got the name.

Russo relatives and Vincent's closest men had already liked the post.

Every one of them knew.

I had been the only person left outside the plan.

Laughter came from the terrace. Marco and the other groomsmen were on a video call with Vincent.

"Your bride is still waiting in her dress," Marco said. "Are you coming back?"

Vincent sat on the edge of Bianca's bed with his collar open.

"She waited ten years. One more hour will not kill her."

One of the men said I had been trained to wait on command.

Vincent did not correct him.

I stepped away from the terrace and called my private attorney.

"Restore all of my authority over the Caruso trust."

"End the renewal guarantee for the Russo bridge loans."

"Move the Belladonna venue, security, and media contracts into my personal control."

My attorney paused.

"Once I do this, three Russo acquisitions will freeze."

"Do it now."

I removed the Russo necklace Sophia had given me and placed it on the dressing table. I kept my wedding dress on.

My maid of honor watched me.

"Are you still going through with the ceremony?"

"I paid for the wedding. Bianca can keep the man."

At ten, the organ began to play.

The chapel doors opened.

The guests expected Vincent. Instead, twelve Moretti guards took their places along the aisle.

Luca walked toward me.

He stopped before touching my hand.

"Do you want me to take you away, or do you want me to walk this aisle with you?"

I linked my arm through his.

"Walk it with me."