Page 68 of Of Lies and Shadows

Something is wrong. Deeply, seriously wrong.

I don’t ask, of course. Whatever this is, it’s not mybusiness. Not anymore. But I still notice. I still care, even if I tell myself it’s only because he’s the father of the children I love. Because anything more than that would be too dangerous.

Too close.

The twins are excited. Lucia can’t decide which dress she wants to wear, and Alessio has somehow convinced himself that pirates might be attending. Their innocence is a balm, even when it exhausts me. They don’t know the kind of wolves invited to this house tonight. They don’t know that people will arrive smiling while hiding knives behind their backs.

But I do.

And I know a few of those knives might still be pointed at my own.

I turn to Lucia, who is twirling in front of her mirror.

“Lucia, sweetheart, no, not the sparkly tiara again,” I say gently as I adjust her braid. “We said party dress, not fairy queen of the seven realms.”

“But this is my important tiara,” she insists, clutching it to her chest. “What if there are royals?”

“Well,” I say, smoothing the fabric of her dress, “if any royals show up, they’ll be very impressed by how polished and elegant you are. But I need your eyes tonight, remember?”

She blinks at me. “For what?”

“To spot pirates. Or dragons. Or suspicious guests with hidden swords.” I widen my eyes dramatically and lower my voice to a whisper. “I can’t do it alone.”

Her face lights up, and she stands a little taller. “Iamthebest pirate spotter.”

“You absolutely are,” I murmur, kissing her forehead.

Alessio stomps into the room, tugging at the stiff collar of his little suit with all the rage of a betrayed prince. “I don’t like this. It’s scratchy.”

“You, my love,” I say, crouching to his level, “are a big boy now. You go to school. You read stories all by yourself. And tonight, you get to be part of a very fancy grown-up party.”

He pouts harder. “But pirates don’t wear suits.”

“No,” I admit, straightening his lapels. “Butundercoverpirates do.”

His eyes narrow with suspicion. “You promise?”

“Cross my heart.”

As I gather the final touches, bows, clean shoes, and Lucia’s emergency hair clip, I kneel between them, serious for just a moment.

“Listen to me. Tonight, there’ll be lots of people. I want you both to stay close. You stick with me or with Papa, Fulvio, or Bruno. No wandering. Understood?”

Lucia tilts her head. “Why? Are there really bad people coming?”

“No,” I lie with a smile. “But it’s a big house, and sometimes pirates sneak in where they’re not invited. You’re my guards, remember?”

Alessio puffs up. “I’ll find them first.”

“I know you will,” I say, hugging them both tightly and wishing I believed it was just a game.

“I feel safer already,” a voice says behind me.

I startle, turning to find Dante leaning casually againstthe bedroom doorway. He’s dressed to kill, of course. Sharp suit, hair slicked back, the picture of calm authority, but his eyes aren’t calm. They’re on me.

He smiles at the children first. “Ready? The guests are arriving.” Then his gaze lifts to mine. “Your father’s here.”

I nod, feeling the tight coil of tension wrap around my spine. Just two, maybe three hours. Long enough to play the part. Then I can get the twins to bed and vanish into my room.

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