Chapter 1
Sienna
The past… Christiano Falco; 22. Sienna Vitale; 25.
Sitting at a table inGabriella’s, one of the Falcos’ restaurants, I glance around the crowded room.
The five families are gathered to celebrate my engagement to Christiano. Even though I’m surrounded by people I’ve known my entire life, anxiety buzzes in my chest.
Three months ago, Christiano stepped into the role of thecapo dei capiof the Cosa Nostra. That very same day, he cornered me in the garden at his parents’ place and admitted he had feelings for me.
At first, I was apprehensive because I’m three years older than him, but since I gave him a chance, there’s been no stopping him. Honestly, dating him has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride and very overwhelming.
We haven’t slept together yet, because I asked to wait until we got engaged. That’s when Christiano proposed, and even though I said yes, I’m not sure either of us is ready for marriage.
Still, here I am, and tonight he will put his ring on my finger.
Raya, my best friend, draws my attention as she weaves through the tables to get to me. With a wide grin on her face, she plops down in the chair beside mine and chuckles when she sees her brother flirting with a server. “I don’t know how Georgi does it,” she says. “Every week, there’s a new girl. I’ve stopped showing an interest in who he’s dating because they never stick around.”
I pat her hand before my eyes sweep through the room again. “He’s having fun.”
When Uncle Damiano and Enzo walk into the restaurant and make a beeline for Aunt Gabriella, my heart beats a little faster because it means Christiano should be here as well.
The three Falco men had last-minute business to take care of, which made them thirty minutes late for the celebration.
Getting up from my seat, I tell Raya, “I’m going to greet Uncle Damiano.”
I walk toward my future in-laws, unable to keep myself from constantly glancing at the doorway, and the moment Christiano comes in, my lips curve up in a relieved smile.
Whenever he has to go to work, I’m filled with a sense of dread. Someone might think being raised in the Cosa Nostra would make a person immune to danger and violence, but it’s not the case for me. Every time I’m forced to watch one of the men I love get hurt, something inside me fractures beyond repair.
I’ve lived my whole life fearing the worst might happen to one of the men I care about, but since I’ve fallen in love with Christiano, that fear has grown into something crippling. I only find some relief when he’s by my side.
The instant Christiano’s eyes land on me, he stops dead in his tracks and places his hand over his heart while his eyes sweep over the light pink dress I’m wearing.
Despite the fact that he’s only twenty-two, he looks older, his muscled body shaped by hours of relentless training. He inherited his height of six-five, as well as his black hair and eyes, from his father.
The merciless expression always carved into his handsome features softens with love, and for a moment, we just stare at each other.
Even though I can see how much he cares about me, apprehension slithers around my heart.
What if this is a mistake? We’re both so young.
I glance at my family before looking at the Falcos, wondering what they would do if I called off the engagement. Everyone is smiling, and laughter fills the air as my gaze lands on Christiano again.
The corner of his mouth lifts, and when he begins to walk toward me, the tension eases in my chest.
I love him. More than I’ve loved anything in my short life. It’s both exhilarating and scary.
I’m just nervous because he’s so intense and a lot will be expected of me as his wife.
“Everyone down!” Nico, the head of security for the Falco family, shouts by the doorway. “The Irish!”
I have no time to process the warning, chills rushing over my skin. My eyes widen a fraction, my body freezing on the spot. The noise of chairs and tables being toppled over as everyone drops to the floor fills the air.
“Sienna!” I hear Augusto roar while Christiano breaks out into a run.
His features are cut from stone, and shoving a table out of the way, he lunges at me. Just as his arm wraps around my waist and my feet leave the floor, bullets shatter the windows and screams fill the air.
