Nikolai pushes off the hood and crushes the cigarette under his boot with slow deliberation. Then he smiles. Thin. Off.
The passenger door swings open with an exaggerated flourish. “After you,principessa.”
The title scrapes along my nerves. It’s too smooth, too practiced, and not the least bit respectful.
I hesitate. There’s something else beneath his skin, something running colder than whatever mask he’s wearing. A second narrative, darker than the first. And I have no idea when—or where—it ends.
“Ready to cross enemy lines and deliver me to the Bianchi estate?” I ask, keeping my tone light.
He smirks like we’re sharing a private joke. “We’re all friends now. Haven’t you heard?”
But he doesn’t believe that. Neither do I.
I slide in without another word, eyes forward, every sense on alert. The door shuts with a quiet finality, and the SUV glides down the drive.
The estate vanishes behind us.
The air feels lighter the moment we hit the highway.
But not safer.
An hour later, I see the Bianchi mansion. A towering reminder of everything I grew up with and everything I thought I wanted to outrun.
The familiar faces ofFamigliasoldiers at the gate allow me to take a full breath. “You can drop me here, Nikolai.”
“Boss wouldn’t like it.” He rolls down the window and glares at my cousin, Tony. “He wants door-to-door service.”
“How about we settle on gate to gate?” Before he can answer, I slide out and move toward theFamigliasoldiers at the gate. Tony’s in his usual stance, casual but watchful, chatting briefly with Leo as I approach.
“Familiar faces,” Nikolai calls out, gesturing toward Tony and Leo with a casual flick of his chin. “It must be nice to feel at home.”
The words are smooth, but there’s a weight behind them I can’t quite place. Tony moves in front of me and glares at Nikolai.
“I’ll handle it from here,” I say, keeping my tone light. “No need to trouble yourself further.”
“Boss isn’t gonna like that,” Nikolai replies, his voice deceptively neutral.
“Maxsim and I will discuss it later,” I say with finality, meeting his gaze head-on.
His smirk flickers, his eyes narrowing just enough to let me know he’s filing this moment away. “Enjoy your visit,principessa,” he replies with exaggerated politeness.
Tony leans in slightly. “Your new shadow always this nosy?”
I glance back toward the SUV. Nikolai is still watching—not me, but the soldiers. Like he’s waiting for something.
“He’s thorough,” I say carefully, wondering what game Maxsim’s cousin is playing.
“I’m gonna walk you to the door,” Tony says before nodding to Nikolai.
“Thanks.” We walk toward the mansion, and I let out a breath, feeling relaxed for the first time in days.
The foyer welcomes me with the familiar sounds and smells. My heels click against the terrazzo floors as I fill my lungs with the scent of lemons and furniture polish. I pause under the portrait of my grandfather—his hawk-like gaze just as sharp as I remember. Even in death, he looms, his painted eyes fixed on me with the same unspoken command:Remember who you are. Remember what’s expected.
I force my shoulders to straighten as the housekeeper appears at the edge of my vision, smiling warmly. Her gaze flickers quickly to the ring on my finger, and I know what she’s thinking. I nod politely, murmuring a greeting I don’t mean, and walk past her into the heart of the house.
Memories press in from every corner—my mother’s sharp warnings during family gatherings, my father’s clipped commands to his men, and my own teenage rebellions echoing through the halls like ghosts.
The sound of heels clicking makes me turn. “Luna!” I embrace my cousin tightly. “I’ve missed you.”