My father was a soldato for the Moretti family, killed in the line of duty protecting the Don, Vince Moretti.
Stricken with guilt, Vince took me in as his ward, raising me as his own daughter.
But as I blossomed into a woman, his protection twisted into a gilded cage.
I developed a forbidden love for my guardian—a secret I thought I could keep forever.
When Vince discovered the truth, shock gave way to an uncontrollable rage.
He cast me out of his world, this den of vipers, without a second thought.
Now, five years later, I have returned to New York City—with a child in tow.
In a metropolis built on power and blood, a future of fire and retribution awaits us.
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1
The plane touched down at JFK, but the reality of it still hadn't sunk in.
Five years ago, Vince Moretti had shipped me away like a piece of discarded luggage.
I never thought I would come back.
He had made it clear he never wanted to see me again.
But he was the one who sent the plane ticket.
A summons, really. An order to attend the fifth anniversary of his marriage to Sofia Falcone.
After two layovers and a grueling long-haul flight, we were exhausted.
Leo slept well on the plane, but he started getting fussy after we landed.
"Mamma, my legs are sore," he whimpered.
I immediately scooped him up and headed for the exit.
I was about to pull out my phone to order a car when it rang in my hand.
Looking at the familiar number, I hesitated.
I let it ring.
The phone rang again almost immediately, as persistent as its owner.
I took a deep breath and answered.
"Isabella."
Vince’s voice sliced through the line, cold and devoid of warmth.
"Are you at arrivals? My consigliere, Marco, is waiting for you." His tone was clipped, an order, not a question.
A sarcastic smile touched my lips. "I can get my own cab."
There was a second of silence on the other end.
He probably didn't expect me to refuse.
The old me never would have. He arranged everything; my only job was to obey.
When Vince spoke again, his voice was laced with ice. "Let Marco drive you. I've already arranged a gift for you to give Sofia. It's in the trunk. You'll present it to her at the party tonight."
Still the thoughtful guardian, saving me from any potential embarrassment.
The same way he’d spend a fortune on a venue or hunt down a rare diamond at auction, all just to make Sofia smile.
"Understood," I answered, the single word heavy with exhaustion as I rubbed my temples.
Vince didn't respond, but he didn't hang up either.
A few seconds later, he finally broke the silence, as if delivering an ultimatum.
"Isabella, you've been gone for five years. I hope you've learned the rules. If you dare threaten Sofia's position…"
His voice trailed off, leaving the cruel warning hanging in the air.
"...the Family won't tolerate it. And I will never forgive you."