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Prologue
Nicola
14 Years Old.
“Kneel, Nicola,” my adoptive father barks his command at me.
Surveying my surroundings, I meet the eyes of each impeccably dressed man as I stand in the center of the room. They circle me like vultures, and I get the distinct feeling that I’m on display.
“What’s happening?” I mumble. A strike of fear nearly overtakes my body. I’m not stupid. I spend a lot of time getting into enough trouble to recognize it.
“I said kneel,” he snaps, and grips the perfect braid the maid wove in my hair only a few minutes ago and tugs until I fall to my knees.
Tears spring forward, but I refuse to allow them to fall. I won’t show weakness. Not here. Not for this man. Not ever.
“The bidding will start at 250,000 euros.” I stare in shock at the man who brought me to his home when I was four. The man I’ve called father since I was five. The man who taught me to ride a bike and kick high on the swings. The man who was supposed to protect me, and suddenly, a sick sort of sense is made as I watch these men raise their hands as the number climbs and climbs.
“Please don’t do this,” I beg. My sharp nails dig into the palm of my hand so I don’t cry. I refuse to show any weakness.
I’m ignored. Merely a pawn in this room of sick men looking for something I’m either too young to understand or don’t want to face.
“Sold!” he cheers, and I don’t hear the final amount because I’m trying not to vomit on the beautiful rug beneath my knees.
A rug that supported me as I played with Barbies and cars. Twirled in pretty dresses and danced until my legs felt like jelly. A carpet where I had playdates and drank tea with my mom.
Mom.
Where is she in this? Does she know he’s selling me?
As I’m gripped by the elbow and dragged out of the room, I see her, and she smiles. At first, I think it’s for me, but then Father comes out behind me and announces an astronomical number, and I’m suddenly reduced to nothing.
“Nicola, meet your new master, Santo Cardarelli.” I’m too stunned to speak as I stare at the man in front of me with his cold eyes and emotionless face.
They’ve just sold me to the devil.
Chapter 1
Domino
Present Day.
Staring off into the Ionian Sea after Natale took Posy inside, I expect peace and quiet for the rest of my evening. Since leaving the United States, I’ve been the security that the Morello family has needed for their return to Italy. I’ve done everything they’ve asked of me and more.
But I’m restless.
The more I watch Natale and Posy, the more I crave what they have. Posy has been my priority for months, and she’s the only one who matters to Natale, the sole son to Capo Morello. While the Morello family was in the USA, my own father kept their name feared and their organization running smoothly here in Sicily until they could return.
During this time, I went against the grain and became a cop. A damn good one too. But one whose buttons were pushed one too many times until I finally quit when Posy’s father and partner and a few other officers tried to silence the young girl’s suffering. Natale went to hell and back for Posy, and when I was forced to arrest him, I knew I was done.
Leaving the force and joining the Morello family in my home country was the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s uncomplicated here. I know the good from the bad, the right from wrong. And I know that Posy Morello is the only person I am responsible for.
As the sun sets, I sit in the lush grass overlooking the sea and try to ignore the vibrations of my phone in my pocket. For ten minutes, it’s been going non-stop, but there comes a point in a man’s life where he just needs to shut the world away for a few minutes.
Tonight has been one of those times.
“What?” I bark into the device.
“Is that any way to greet your father?” Santo Cardarelli. My father. A stubborn son of a bitch.
