Five Years of Sicilian Whispers

We’d been in love for five years, and I was on the verge of telling Nico Rinaldi everything—that I was the heir to the Griffin family.

But in the private room of a club, I overheard him speaking with his cronies in Sicilian—a language I happen to speak fluently.

"Nico, when are you and Miss Bianca getting engaged?"

Nico Rinaldi’s eyes swam with what I mistook for adoration. He used the pad of his thumb to wipe a smear of red wine from the corner of my mouth, his tone deceptively casual.

"The Capones had a date chosen. It's ten days from now."

They shot me leering glances, their curiosity undisguised.

"So, what happens to Genevieve after the engagement?"

"Just keep her in the manor outside the city. I can't bear for her to be tainted by the filth of the family business."

The group erupted in lewd laughter.

"This Genevieve must be a real siren in the sack to have our Nico so twisted around her little finger."

Nico Rinaldi kissed my forehead but did nothing to stop their crude teasing.

I lowered my gaze, my nails digging deep into my palm.

They didn't know that not only did I understand their entire conversation, but I was also the Principessa who ran the Griffin family's entire European territory.

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1

Nico took me to a private Rinaldi family dinner.

There, I ran into an old-school European mafia Capo I’d done business with in Monaco.

"Miss Griffin, as the Griffin family's 'Black Swan of Europe,' what brings you to a gathering like this?"

In Europe, I was known for my iron fist and enigmatic nature. During our collaboration, this Capo had invited me to his private parties several times, invitations I had consistently declined.

Before I could answer, a group of Nico's new underlings swarmed us, their words dripping with sarcasm.

"Her? Miss Griffin?"

"Some nobody who probably can't tell a vintage Barolo from piss dares to impersonate mafia royalty?"

"Haha, that's rich! If she's a Griffin, then I'm the Don!"

"Everyone knows the Griffin heir has spent years in Europe and never shows up to dinners of this caliber."

The Capo sized me up for a few moments. Hearing the chorus of ridicule, he quickly backpedaled with an apology.

"My apologies, perhaps I was mistaken!"

Their deliberate humiliation stung. I turned on my heel and strode out of the banquet hall.

To my surprise, Nico, who hadn't uttered a word in my defense, followed me out.

"Genevieve, is this too much for you?"

"If you don't like it, I won't bring you here again."

Nico was the Rinaldi family's bastard son, only recently acknowledged when they found themselves desperate for an heir.

"Did I embarrass you?"

Nico forced a smile, ruffling my hair in a condescending show of pity.

"How could you? In my eyes, you're the purest soul I've ever known. No one compares to you."

"I just hate seeing you treated unfairly. When you're unhappy, I blame myself."

I stared at him, the man before me suddenly a complete stranger. It was his sincerity that drew me to him, and I never imagined his acting was so flawless.

"Our statuses are worlds apart. If we're really going to be together, this sort of thing is unavoidable."

"Nico, will you still take me away?"

He looked away, flustered.

"Genevieve, I've just been acknowledged by the family. My hands are tied. We'll have to wait a little longer."

"But I promise you, you're the only one in my heart. That will never change."

We had been in love for five years, our passion never waning. But whenever the topic of leaving came up, he would always find an excuse. At first, he needed to save enough money to leave the organization. Then, after being accepted by the Rinaldi family, he said he needed to establish his footing first.

My heart ached for his struggles, so I had already contacted my father's Consigliere. As long as Nico was willing to leave with me, the Griffin family's businesses in Europe could be my dowry.

I am the sole heir to the Griffin family. The Griffins became the most powerful mafia in North America because I had secured our foothold by establishing new grey-market industries across Europe. I never lacked for power; all I craved was a loyal heart.

Three days ago, I saw a design sketch for an engagement ring in his study, engraved with the Capone family crest. There were also countless discarded drafts on his computer, clearly designed by his own hand.

At the time, I foolishly thought it was a surprise he was preparing for me. I had even instructed my subordinates to ready a private jet to the South of France. I was just waiting for him to propose, and then I would reveal my identity and we would elope.

I never imagined that what awaited me wasn't a proposal, but the news of his engagement to the Capone family's heiress, Bianca Capone.

It turned out he never intended to spend his life with me. He wanted me as his mistress, a secret kept in the shadows. He wanted to have my devotion while seizing the power that came with the Capone name.

Fine. If he preferred the Capone’s table scraps to the empire I was offering, I wouldn't stand in his way.

Suddenly, I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he learned who I really was.