Standing, I moved to the window, my reflection a ghost against the glass. Somewhere out there, Ivy was probably home by now, maybe curled up with Elena, telling her everything that had happened. Would Elena advise her to cut ties completely? To walk away from whatever mess I'd brought into her life?
She should. Any rational friend would tell Ivy to run as far and as fast as possible.
It's what a good friend would do. It's what I should do too.
But maybe, just maybe, Elena's ties into this world would give her enough pause to give me a chance. Elena was already tangled in this darker underbelly. But that was also vastly different to being romantically involved with a main family member.
I pressed my palm against the cool glass, feeling the weight of every choice that had led me here. I'd told Ivy I wouldn't disappear again, wouldn't walk away without explanation. The promise felt like lead in my chest.
I intended to keep it.
But I also couldn't force her to accept what I was. Couldn't make her understand that the man she'd known four years ago and the man standing in this hotel room were the same person. I just had more blood on my hands now. More secrets. More ways to destroy everything she touched.
The city stretched below me, indifferent to my problems, to the chaos I'd unleashed. Somewhere in those streets, the Malatestas were plotting their response to the new alliance. Somewhere, my father was reporting to the council about our progress, about my latest failure to keep business and personal separate.
And somewhere, Ivy was deciding whether I was worth the risk, or if she could even forgive me for dragging her into this world.
The thought of losing her a second time, of watching her walk away knowing it was my fault, made my chest feel like it was caving in.
I turned away from the window, pacing the length of the room like a caged animal. Tomorrow I'd meet with Sofia, navigate whatever test she had planned. Then I'd figure out how to convince the Donatis I wasn't playing them, that my feelings for Ivy weren't part of some elaborate con.
After that, if Ivy would still see me, I'd spend however long it took proving I was worth her trust. Even if it meant showing her parts of myself I'd spent years trying to keep hidden. Even if it meant admitting that every instinct I had was telling me to protect her by walking away.
My phone buzzed one more time.
Do what's right for the family, Eric.
I sighed at my father's text.
For now, I needed to focus on one catastrophe at a time.
And the biggest problem wasn't the Malatestas or the alliance or even my father's expectations. It was the growing certainty that I'd done exactly what I'd sworn I'd never do. I'd hurt Ivy again. Worse, I'd put her in danger.
I wasn't sure how to be the man Ivy deserved while still being the man my family needed.
The two versions of myself felt more incompatible than ever.
But for Ivy, I was willing to try. Even if trying meant watching everything I'd built crumble around me.
She was the fire that had fueled me all those years ago, the spark that had reignited me as soon as I'd seen her. Reminded me of what I truly wanted in this world. The one thing money and power couldn't get me.
13
IVY
Sofia's hand touched my elbow, gentle but firm. "What was that about?"
I turned to face her, my throat tight. The alley behind the club smelled like garbage and cigarette smoke, but at least it was private. At least no one could see me falling apart.
"Eric." Saying his name made my stomach knot, but I shoved it down. "He's someone I was involved with. Four years ago."
Sofia's expression shifted, recognition flickering across her features. "Wait. Is he the guy you were talking about the other night? The one who left for a work opportunity?"
I nodded, my stomach twisting. "Yeah, big work opportunity was why he left. Didn't realize it was for a crime family."
"That tracks," Sofia said, her voice quieter now. "Eric Hale was called in to replace his brother. Shot in a dispute—wrong place, wrong time. Eric runs a large part of the Hale family now. He's the one heading the alliance here."
Hearing Sofia confirm it only made it all the more real, and I closed my eyes as I shook my head.
