“I’m not implying anything,” she interrupts smoothly. “I’m simply noting that Luca’s behavior is uncharacteristic, which makes people curious. And in our world, Dr. Conti, curiosity can be dangerous.”
She steps closer. Despite her elegant appearance, there’s something predatory in her movement. “You should be careful. A woman attached to a man like Luca becomes a target—for his enemies, for anyone looking to gain leverage, for rival families who see vulnerability where there was none before.”
The words send ice through my veins. “Is that a threat?” My voice trembles slightly and I hate myself for it.
Natasha smirks, noting the sound. “It’s a warning.” Her smile turns is cold and beautiful. “I’m sure Luca has explained the risks, but let me be perfectly clear: your very existence makes him more vulnerable. His enemies will study you for weaknesses, test you for exploitable fears, and use you to hurt him if given the opportunity.”
God, I’m going to pass out.
My knees feel weak and I nonchalantly place my hand on the railing for support.
They’ll come after me.
Torture me.
Kill me.
And Luca won’t care because I’m just a tool to him anyway. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because despite my disappointment that Luca chose someone else, I’m not cruel.” She straightens, smoothing her gown as shetracks my arm’s movements. “You seem like a decent person, Dr. Conti. It would be a shame to see you destroyed simply because you fell in love with the wrong man.”
Before I can respond, she’s gone, gliding back into the ballroom like a ghost in white silk.
I stand alone on the terrace, her words echoing in my mind as my heart continues to thump wildly. A target. Vulnerable. Exploitable.
I’m not just Luca’s prisoner. I’m also prey for every enemy he has. They’ll come after me. They’ll hurt me. Use me as a weapon against him. And I have no way to protect myself. I have no allies or escape. I’m trapped in his estate, surrounded by his enemies, and I’m completely expendable.
The realization makes my elaborate gown feel like a target painted on my back.
The sound of male voices drifts from around the corner of the terrace, and I press myself against the wall, instinctively hiding. Two men are talking, their voices low but carrying clearly in the cool night air.
“—think this marriage changes anything?” one says, his accent thick with South Side Chicago. “Marchetti’s gettin’ soft, wastin’ time on romance when he should be consolidatin’ territory.”
“Could be an opening,” the other responds. “A man in love makes mistakes. Gets distracted. And that pretty little doctor of his would make excellent leverage if things get messy.”
My stomach drops. Leverage. They’re talking about kidnapping me, hurting me. Using me as a bargaining chip.
“Romano thinks so too. He’s already got people looking into her background, seein’ what buttons we can push.”
Romano. The name sends my heart racing. The casual way these men discuss using me as if I’m nothing makes my blood run cold. They’re planning to come after me. To hurt me. And there’s nothing I can do to stop them.
The second voice sighs. “She’s under heavy guard at the estate. It won’t be easy to get to her.”
“Don’t need to get to her,” the first voice responds. “Jus’ need to make Marchetti think we might. Psychological warfare’s more effective than physical anyway.”
They laugh, a sound that makes my skin crawl, then their footsteps fade as they move back into the ballroom.
I stand frozen against the wall, my mind racing.
I’m not just trapped in a marriage I didn’t choose.
I’m trapped in the center of a war zone where I’m collateral damage waiting to happen.
Where multiple groups of dangerous men see me as something to exploit.
And Luca’s revenge scheme has put me here.
It’s made me a target for every criminal in Chicago while giving me no way to protect myself.
