She leaned forward. "Listen carefully, Sienna. This marriage is more than a simple alliance."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning someone orchestrated this. Someone wanted you and Luca together, and I don't think it was either of your fathers."
A chill ran down my spine. "That's ridiculous."
"Think, Sienna. Why was Luca there, right at that moment, to catch you when you fled?"
The question hit like a physical blow. I'd pushed aside those suspicions, too focused on survival.
"My brother doesn't believe in coincidences," Adriana continued. "Neither should you."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you're not just a pawn in this game. You're a player. And players should know the board they're on."
She explained the history—how Luca's father had murdered Giuseppe's twin brother over a woman twenty-five years ago, an uncle I’d never met. How Giuseppe had been waiting decades for revenge against the Romano bloodline. How the timing of my arranged marriage to the Calabrese family, followed by Luca's convenient "rescue," felt too orchestrated to be coincidence.
"I don't have proof," Adriana admitted. "But I know how these men think. Giuseppe wants revenge and control of the Moretti empire. Ricci wants Romano territory. And both of them benefit if you and Luca destroy each other."
"You think they're working together?"
"I think someone is pulling strings we can't see yet. And I think you and my brother are in more danger than either of you realize." Her expression darkened. "Watch Giuseppe. Watch Ricci. And watch the people closest to both of you. Because if I'm right, the traitor is already inside the walls."
"A coordinated coup," I breathed.
"Exactly. Giuseppe gets revenge and control of the Moretti empire. Ricci gets Romano territory and resources. And both your bloodlines disappear in the process."
A knock interrupted us. One of Luca's men appeared. "Boss is looking for his wife."
As I followed him back, Adriana's words echoed:Someone orchestrated this.
The guard led me to Luca's office, where he stood with his back to the door, staring out at the city.
"You shouldn't wander off," he said without turning.
"I was with your sister. Hardly dangerous."
"Adriana is always dangerous." He turned, expression unreadable. "What did she say to you?"
I hesitated. Could I trust him?
"Nothing important," I lied. "Just welcoming me to the family."
His eyes narrowed but he didn't push.
"You look ill," he observed.
"I'm fine." The words came out sharper than intended, my hands smoothing my dress—a nervous habit that always betrayed me.
He crossed the room, stopping inches from me. His hand cupped my cheek with startling gentleness.
"Sienna, I need you alert tonight. If you can't handle meeting with Ricci—"
"I said I'm fine. And I don't appreciate being kept in the dark about threats to our safety."
His jaw tightened. "What are you talking about?"
