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CHAPTER 1
Arianna
My phone pings with the arrival of a new text message while I’m going over the finalized plans for my sister Sophia’s wedding in Italy next week. Everything is already in place and set in motion. I just like to quadruple check every single detail. Just to be sure.
Dread crawls up my spine and settles into my gut as I catch a glimpse of my phone’s screen. A notification pops up, showing the sender as Unknown Caller. The chill races back down my spine and I shiver.
I wish I could save that number to my contacts and name it Creep. But since it’s unknown, I can’t do anything with it. I can’t even block it.
The back of my neck breaks out in a cold sweat despite the humid, warm June weather we’re having in New York City. Reaching for my phone, my thumb hovers over the screen for a couple of seconds before I swipe to open the text message.
The cold sweat turns into a full-body shiver and my mouth goes dry.
The picture that appears was taken earlier this morning when I was meeting with Mrs. De Luca to finalize my sister’s wedding plans. We were at her favorite brunch spot in Manhattan, and the photo is a closeup of me sipping from my tea cup.
My phone pings again, and I nearly drop it on my desk in surprise. It’s another message from him. At least, I assume it’s a him.
Unknown
Kisa, I love the way you look in the mornings.
I shudder, set my cell on the desk and shove it away. As if that can possibly distance me from my stalker.
With a sigh, I bury my face in my hands. I can’t believe I have a stalker. Me.
The worst part is, I have no clue who he is, or how he found me. It’s not like I’m a celebrity or anything. And if he’s stalking me because of my family’s business, then why not target my parents, or someone who’s deeper into the business?
I’m a nobody.
I want out of the mafia world I was raised in. In fact, I’m already on my way out. Mrs. De Luca has opened up a whole new world of event planning for me, and I believe I’ve found my calling. Something I’m actually good at doing. This potential career is my one-way ticket out of this place, far away, where this dangerous world and the people in it can’t touch me ever again.
I’ve made myself some promises over the past few weeks. As soon as we’re back from Italy, I’m going to find a job. I’m also only going to date nice, sophisticated men, who have no ties to the criminal underworld. Then I’ll find a suitable husband, work my dream job, and settle into a normal life.
God, how I crave a normal life. A quiet existence away from all of the violence and danger this reality holds. I don’t want my own children growing up like I did. I don’t want them to have a mafia don for a father or be subjected to arranged marriages to form alliances with our enemies.
My eyes turn skyward and I run my thumb across the pearls around my throat as if they’re rosary beads. Maybe, someday, God will answer my prayers.
But for the time being, God helps those who help themselves.
So I’m helping myself. I’m taking charge of the direction of my life. Starting now.
The south of Italy in summer is stunningly gorgeous. A blazing sun overhead beams down on shimmering blue waters as far as the eye can see, and the green and golden brown landscape is picturesque. The wedding venue is a sprawling villa, and adds yet another layer of exotic beauty to the scene.
Best of all is my sister Sophia’s happiness. She hasn’t stopped smiling since the priest pronounced her and Roman De Luca to be husband and wife. I’ll admit I had my doubts about their relationship. Rightfully so, since Roman literally kidnapped Sophia from her engagement party to another man, after forcing Papa to agree to the new arrangement. Though that all seems like ancient history now.
They’re happy together. Truly happy and in love.
Which I get an ear full of, from where I sit beside my newly wedded sister, as they discuss their honeymoon plans.
Roman whispers to Sophia, loud enough that I overhear him say, “I’m keeping you in bed for two full weeks. We’re going to turn off our phones, order room service for every meal, and I’m going to worship every inch of your body—again.”
Sophia’s cheeks redden.
“Ahh, I heard that.” I purse my lips, side-eyeing them. I should have sat across the table with my other sister and cousins. “Don’t you want to do something more productive, like tour Italy or England?”
“Obviously,” Roman levels his yellow-hazel gaze on me, “you’ve never been attracted to another person. Much less in love.”
He’s right, I’ve never been in love. As far as attraction goes… again, not really. It’s never been high on my priority list.
