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Prologue

ARIA

I can’t do this, Aria I want out Out of this world Out of e Just out

Those words spoken by my sister Gianna started it all They led to my first betrayal of Luca I didn’t see it as a betrayal back then I only wanted to help her, not betray my husband

Yet, when I ainst him

Betrayal

Made Men were always so quick to call any word of objection betrayal Women were supposed to take their husband’s word as law, especially I, as married to the Capo

But protectingthose I loved against the harsh realities of mob life sometimes made it hard to obey

I thought Luca would understand, thought our love could brave anything

Luca wasn’t a man who had ever allowed himself to trust or love anyone—until me Maybe he’d always been wary of his emotions

Maybe he’d alaited for soht

And I had given it to him

LUCA

Matteo and I had been taught many lessons by our sadist of a father, all of the and ruthless for the tasks expected of us I hated the man, had hated hiht with the one lesson I wanted to be wrong

Love is a weakness, Luca It has brought the strongestus believe we could love them is their way to manipulate us because it’s the only way for them to have power Don’t let a woman hold that power over you You will be Capo A Capo can’t allow himself a weakness