Chapter 1 I froze at the office door , my hand hovering over the handle . Primo's voice drifted through the crack , stopping my surprise entrance dead in its tracks . " Asteria ? She's just a business deal to get some control over the coast dealings . " My breath caught in my throat . The birthday gift I'd brought him , a vintage . watch he'd mentioned months ago , suddenly felt heavy in my purse . " You never cared for her then ? " A familiar voice purred . I pressed closer to the gap , my heart thundering against my ribs . Through the sliver of space , I spotted a woman perched on his lap , her fingers trailing along his jaw . The scene blurred as tears welled in my eyes , but there was no mistaking who it was . Yesha . My best friend . The same woman D80 % 19:00 1/6 Chapter 1 who'd helped me pick out my wedding dress just last week , gushing about how perfect Primo and I were together . " The marriage is strategic . Nothing more . " Primo's hands settled on her waist . " You know you're the only one who matters . " The diamond ring on my finger burned like ice . One month . We were supposed to get married in one month . I'd spent the morning planning our honeymoon , picking between beach villas while Yesha texted suggestions . " What about the coast properties ? " Yesha shifted closer to him . " Once we're married , her family's holdings transfer to our control . Then we can expand south . " He laughed . " She's so eager to please , so desperate to believe in love . It makes everything easier . " My fingers dug into the doorframe . The watch in my purse , the future I'd planned , the trust I'd given … it all crumbled to ash 80 % 19:00 2/6 82 Chapter 1 as I watched them kiss . I backed away from the door , my heels silent against the marble floor . The drive home passed in a blur and I reached the mansion even before I realized . The basement door clicked shut behind me as I descended the concrete steps . Cold air wrapped around me , but I barely felt it . The long hallway stretched ahead . At the end of the hall , I punched in the security code and pushed open the heavy metal door . The smell of copper and sweat hit me first . " Miss Mitchell . " Marco nodded at me . Two other men stood guard , their holsters visible under their jackets . In the center of the room , suspended from chains , hung a man whose face was barely recognizable through the bruising . " What did he do ? " My voice came out steady , practiced . " Tried to skim money from the docks . Cost 80 % 19:00 3/6 82 Chapter 1 us a shipment . " Tony cracked his knuckles . " Your father wanted you to handle this one personally . " " Oh . " I stepped closer , studying the man's swollen features . In my mind , his face . morphed into Primo's smug smile , that look he'd had while Yesha sat in his lap . My palm cracked across the prisoner's face . The sound echoed off the concrete walls . Marco pressed a knife into my hand . The handle felt warm but familiar . I didn't hesitate , the blade slid between the man's ribs , right where I knew it would hurt. most . " No one messes with my family . " I twisted the knife , imagining Primo's face contorted in pain instead of this stranger's . Blood ran down my wrist , hot and sticky . I handed the knife back to Marco and walked out , leaving the man's gurgling breaths behind me . I walked back to my room . Blood still 80 % 19.00 4/6 + ) 82 Chapter 1 stained my hands . The warm water in my bathroom turned pink as I scrubbed my hands . A mafia heiress couldn't afford to break down , not even in private . But Primo's betrayal cut deeper than any knife . The Chromos family had always been stronger than ours , their territory stretched across three states while we controlled just the coast . Violence wouldn't work against them , not when they had twice our numbers . My phone buzzed . Yesha's name flashed on the screen . I deleted her message without reading it . The security system chimed , alerting me to an approaching vehicle . Through my window , I watched Primo's black Mercedes roll up our driveway . Of course he'd come , we had dinner plans with both families . tonight . A " celebration " of our upcoming merger through marriage . My intercom crackled . " Miss Mitchell , Mr. BOWL 19:00 5/6 Chapter 1 Chromos is here to see you . " " Send him up . " My voice didn't waver . Primo appeared in my doorway , perfect as always in his tailored suit . " There you are , love . Ready for dinner ? " " Just finishing up some family business . " I smiled , thinking of the man in our basement . " You know how it is in our line . of work . " " The mafia life never sleeps . " He stepped closer , reaching for me . " Everything okay ? You seem tense . " I let him pull me close , breathing in his cologne . The same scent that had lingered on Yesha's skin in his office . " Everything's perfect . "