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I've heard whispers too. Roman has a reputation that makes even hardened mafia soldiers nervous.

“I don’t know,” I admit, my throat tight. “I'm truly scared for you, Audrey.”

Even as I say the words, I regret them. I shouldn't be making her more scared than she already is.

Audrey turns away from the mirror and walks toward me. She cups my face, and though sadness lingers in her eyes, her smile remains warm.

“Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be fine,” she says. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll get lucky. Maybe Roman won’t treat me badly.”

I shake my head almost immediately. “But you deserve better.”

Her smile falters.

“You deserve more than a man who simply doesn’t treat you badly.” My voice grows firmer. “You deserve someone who loves you, Audrey. Someone who looks at you like you’re his entire world. Someone who worships the ground you walk on. Someone who can’t imagine a future without you.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat.

“You deserve a husband who dotes on you, not one who sees you as nothing more than the price of an alliance.”

Silence settles between us. Then Audrey lets out a soft laugh.

“Well, if I can’t have that…” She reaches over and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “At least you still have a chance of getting it with Luca.”

The mention of his name makes something tighten painfully inside my chest.

I lower my eyes. “I’m… not so sure anymore.”

Her smile disappears. “What do you mean?”

I take her hand and lead her over to the bed. We sit side by side, our shoulders touching. She turns toward me completely.

“Did something happen?”

I stare down at our joined hands, absentmindedly tracing circles over the back of hers.

“I don’t know.”

“Rory.”

I sigh. “Recently… Luca’s been acting strange.”

Her brows knit together. “Strange how?”

“He doesn’t call me anymore. At least not like he used to.” I force out a small laugh that sounds nothing like amusement. “And when I call him, he’s always busy.”

Busy. That’s become his favorite word.

“He’ll answer for barely a minute before saying he has somewhere to be. Or someone needs him. Or he’ll text instead of calling.”

Luca is the son of one of Father’s soldiers. Ever since he decided he wanted to become a made man himself, he’s been shadowing his father almost constantly, learning the business, proving himself to the family.

I know the work isn’t easy. I know it demands long hours. But this feels different.

I bite the inside of my cheek. “It’s like he doesn’t want me anymore.”

Audrey squeezes my hand. “I’m sure that’s not it. Probably he’s just stressed with work. He’ll come around.”

“I don’t know. It feels like…” My voice grows quieter. “It feels like I’m losing him.”