Being brought into my brother’s estate was the last thing I expected after leaving Heron. But there I was, standing in the middle of Marcus’ sprawling mansion, my suitcase forgotten on the marble floor as he explained his double life.
“Let me get this straight,” I said. “You’re a mafia boss? You. Marcus Miller, the same guy who used to lecture me about breaking curfew.”
I couldn’t believe it. All along I thought he was just working overseas.
“It’s more complicated than that,” Marcus replied. “I’ve kept this from you because I had to. You wouldn’t have been safe otherwise.”
“Safe from what?” I demanded. “I didn’t ask for your protection.”
“You didn’t have to,” he said. “People wanted you dead, Alicia. You’re my sister. I did what I had to do to keep you alive.”
I clenched my fists, anger and disbelief coursing through me. All these years, I thought I knew him—my responsible, level-headed brother. Now, he was standing here in a tailored suit, exuding the kind of authority that made the men around him stand straighter and lower their gazes.
“And Damian?” I asked, glaring at the man leaning casually against the doorway, his smirk as infuriating as ever. “He’s part of this too?”
“Damian is my ally,” Marcus said. “And your fiancé.”
My stomach twisted at the word. I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. What was the point? My life had been flipped upside down so many times in the past week that agreeing to marry Damian almost seemed like the least shocking thing.
“Fine,” I said, crossing my arms. “I’ll marry him. But don’t think for a second that I’m happy about any of this. I mean,” I sighed. “I know about marriage and I agreed… I just didn’t know that it would be with a mafia boss named Damian.”
Damian’s smirk widened, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “Don’t you think it’s destiny, sweetheart?”
I shot him a glare before turning back to Marcus. “Anything else you’ve been hiding from me?”
Marcus cleared his throat. “Not really. I just need to attend the party Heron’s throwing for Hannah so you should come with me.”
The mention of Heron’s name made my chest tighten. “Why?”
“Because it’s good for appearances and since you’re back home now, people should know about you,” Marcus said, his voice leaving no room for argument. “You’ll be coming with Damian and he’ll introduce you as his fianceè.”
***
The party was as extravagant as I expected, filled with glittering chandeliers, flowing champagne, and the kind of people who thrived on power and whispers. I arrived on Damian’s arm, his hand resting lightly on my lower back as we entered the room.
“Relax,” Damian murmured, leaning closer so only I could hear. “You’re the star of the show tonight.”
I didn’t reply, my eyes scanning the room until they landed on Heron. He was by the bar, a glass of something dark in his hand, his eyes narrowing when he saw me.
I excused myself from Damian and walked straight toward him. His expression shifted as I approached—calculated, composed, and utterly fake.
“Alicia,” he greeted, his voice low. “What are you doing here? And why are you with Damian?"
“Marcus wanted me here,” I said coolly. “I’m his sister, remember?”
Heron’s jaw tightened. “We need to talk.”
He led me to a quieter corner of the room.
“We can’t let Marcus know about us,” he said urgently. “If he finds out—”
“No need for that,” I interrupted, my voice cutting through his.
Heron blinked, momentarily thrown off. “What?”
I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of strength I had left. “There’s no need to pretend anymore, Heron. I’m breaking up with you.”
His face paled, his grip on his glass tightening. “Alicia, don’t do this.”
“I’m done,” I said firmly. “Six years, Heron. Six years of lies, secrets, and hiding. I was nothing more than your placeholder. Well, now you’re nothing to me.”
Before he could say another word, I turned and walked away, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I headed straight for Damian.
When I reached him, Damian smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement.
“Done with your chat?” he asked.
“Completely,” I said.
Damian took my hand and turned to face the crowd, raising his glass. His voice boomed across the room, commanding attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Damian announced, his grip on my hand tightening. “Let me introduce you to my fiancée, Alicia Miller.”
