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It must be an engagement present. I wonder who it’s from. Someone well-informed. The Palermos have kept the news very quiet, and the formal announcement won’t happen until the party tonight. But Andrei found out, and now, so has someone else, which means they have a leak in their ranks.
Then I take one look at Elisa’s face and all thoughts of presents flee from my mind. Something is wrong. My nineteen-year-old sister has been crying. Her eyes are red and puffy, and her face is blotchy. “What happened?” I demand.
“I broke up with Manuel.”
“What?” I recoil in shock. “Why?”
She sniffs. “I know you’re only marrying Dominic because of me, so I asked Manuel if he’d still be with me if your engagement fell through.”
Oh, dear.
“He said no?”
She nods miserably. “I wanted him to defy his family for me,” she says, sinking onto the bed and hugging a pillow to her chest. “Maybe I’m being naive, but I want to be with someone who will pick me first.”
No matter what my family needs, Mirabella, I would never putanyoneabove you.
“I’m sorry.” She’s too young to have her illusions shattered this way. “I’m not defending Manuel, but it’s not easy to defy your family.”
“Family,” she says bitterly. “That’s why you’re marrying Dominic, and that’s why Uncle Renzo took over as head, even though he wants nothing to do with our world. Everything for family, whether it makes us happy or not.”
My head jerks up. “What do you mean, Renzo wants nothing to do with our world?”
“Davide told me he hates being in charge.”
I’m struggling to process what I just heard when my phone beeps with a message from Antonio Moretti. I unlock the display with a frown. I haven’t heard from the Venetian padrino since I was a no-show at the poker game.
Vadik Sidorov died last night after a two-year battle with colon cancer. The funeral is this afternoon.
I sit up. Andrei’s father had colon cancer. That’s why he took over the Sidorov Bratva. I had it so,sowrong. It wasn’t because Andrei wanted power but because his father was deathly ill.
And if I was wrong about this, then what else am I wrong about?
No matter what my family needs, Mirabella, I would never putanyoneabove you.
I jump to my feet and struggle out of my engagement dress into something less hideous. “What happened?” my sister asks.
“Vadik Sidorov is dead.” I order a taxi to take me to the airport. “I need to talk to Uncle Renzo, and I need a plane ticket to Moscow.”
Elisa’s mouth falls open. “What about your engagement party?”
“I don’t care.”
To her credit, she doesn’t try to talk me out of it. Instead, she says, “You’re going to Andrei Sidorov’s father’s funeral. Is that a good idea?”
“I don’t know.”
“The Sidorov family hates us.”
“Not all of them.” I wipe my palms on my black pants. March in Moscow won’t be warm. I’m going to need a thicker coat. “At least, I hope not.”
She gives me another long look, and then a small smile tilts her lips. “I’ll put this in your bag, shall I?”
Thisis the gift-wrapped box. “I don’t think I’m allowed to keep the engagement presents if I call off the wedding, Elisa,” I say dryly.
“Mmm.” She puts the box in my bag and heads for the door. “I’ll go find Uncle Renzo.”
CHAPTER10
