Chapter 1

Alessia’s Pov

I never knew how quickly one's life could fall apart until mine did in the space of a few days. My mother-in-law's voice echoed through the Mansion's marble hallway, cutting the silence like a blade. "You're the reason my son is rotting in a cell! You and your stuck barren womb!"

I gripped the rails of the stairs, steadying myself as I let her words sink in. Sofia had never approved of me marrying her precious Matteo. Now that her son was arrested, her claws were fully extended and ready to tear me to pieces.

"Mother, please—" I started.

"Don't 'Mother please' me!" She stalked toward me in her designer heels, each click against the floor like a countdown to detonation. "Three years of marriage and nothing to show for it. No grandchildren, and now no son! You're just here to leach everything in my son's house and spend our money!"

"This isn't about me not getting pregnant," my voice was barely above a whisper. "Matteo is in jail because of his own actions."

My mother in law's palm connected with my cheek before I could react. The sting was immediate and the shock was worse.

"You think I don't know you've been talking to the feds?" she hissed. "My sources tell me everything, you ungrateful bitch."

I touched my cheek as tears formed despite my best efforts. "I don't know what you're talking about. I found out about Matteo the same way you did by watching the news this morning."

She released a humorous chuckle instead and glared at me. "Get out. Pack your things and get out of my house."

"This is my home too," My voice failed me as it shook despite trying to find a little courage. I was tired of all of this, trying to be strong and taking in her constant abuse of words."And I need to see my husband."

"See him?" Sofia's perfectly painted lips curled into a sneer. "Good luck with that, Alessia. The Ricci family takes care of its own and you were never one of us."

---

The police station buzzed with activity the moment I got in and everywhere I turned, eyes followed me with suspicious and judging whispered words. The wife of Daniel Ricci, a drug trafficker and murderer for the dangerous Mafia in the city, according to this morning's breaking news. The wife who claimed to know nothing despite being a police officer and detective.

"Mrs. Ricci." Detective Lopez didn't offer me a seat in the interrogation room as he threw a disgusting sneer at me. I can't blame him, he trusted me with every Information especially since I was leading this case and trying to pin the bastard Mafia to bars but my husband happened to take the hit. "What a convenient time to visit."

"I want to see my husband," I said firmly, though my insides trembled.

"Of course you do." He circled me like a shark and chuckled. "Maybe coordinate your stories? Figure out where he hid the money? The drugs? And where did he bury the bodies of the innocent people he murdered under Leonardo's order?"

"I don't know anything about—"

His fist hit the table before I could open my mouth, making me jump. "Bullshit! Three years married to one of the most connected men in the Leonardo Costello crime family, and you expect me to believe you that you thought he worked in real estate?"

"Real estate, huh?" Lopez leaned in close and threw a file on the table and I refused to pick it up, scared that I would really see the truth I'd been denying"Your husband launders money for the most dangerous organization on the East Coast. He's killed people, Mrs. Ricci. And you live in a ten-million-dollar mansion."

I shook my head, tears forming. "Please. I just want five minutes with him."

"You'll get your five minutes." Another detective spoke from the doorway. "After we search your house, your cars, and your bank accounts."

"I have nothing to hide," I said and she released a snorting sound.

---

Matteo looked different behind the bulletproof glass. His usually immaculate appearance was disheveled, but his eyes were what truly shocked me. I picked up the phone. "Matteo, what's happening? They're saying terrible things—"

"Shut up, Alessia." His voice was ice. "Just shut up and listen."

My mouth closed automatically. This wasn't my husband at all.

"Whatever they ask you, you know nothing. You saw nothing. You heard nothing. Got it?"

"But I don't know anything," I whispered. "That's the truth that Tell me this is all a mistake."

He laughed with a sound I'd never heard from him before.

"A mistake? Fuck no. The only mistake was letting you believe I was just another rich guy." He leaned forward. "Did you really think making a few million in real estate bought us that life?

My hand instinctively touched the diamond pendant at my throat—his gift for our anniversary.

"Blood money," I whispered.

"Smart girl." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "I work for Leo Costello. The family needed a clean front, and you—" he gestured at me "—with your innocent eyes and your respectable background, you were perfect."

The room spun as my heart twisted in a heart wrenching gut. "You married me as a cover?"

"Don't look so heartbroken, Alessia. You got what you wanted and I'll advise you to enjoy it while it lasts." He checked his watch. "My lawyer will be here soon. Say nothing to the cops or my mother. Nothing to anyone."

"And if I do?" I challenged, anger rising through my shock.

His eyes met mine, and I saw something I never had before—a killer's gaze.

"Then you'll learn why people fear the Costello family." He hung up the phone and signaled the guard, done with me.

---

The bar was crowded, full of people living normal lives, unburdened by the revelation that their entire marriage was a lie.

"Another," I told the bartender, pushing my empty glass forward.

"Lady, I think you've had enough," he replied in a concerned tone.

"I'll decide when I've had enough," I snapped, then immediately felt ashamed. "I'm sorry, Bad day."

I turned to tell this stranger to mind his own business but froze when I saw his face. Leonardo Costello ,even the blind could tell the Presence of the scary bastard.

"You," I whispered.

His smile was slow and predatory. "Me, and you're Matteo's pretty wife. Alessia, right?"

I should have run, screamed or done anything other than accept the fresh drink he pushed toward me but I took it and drank everything with anger.

I drank deeply, welcoming the burn. "Did you come to finish what your family started? Destroying my life?"

He chuckled with a rich and dangerous sound. "You shouldn't get distracted by cocky moves Alessia, both of us have a lot in common and I believe we'll be great partners.”

“Fuck you Leo!” I tried to stand so I'll get away from here but my legs wouldn't cooperate as the room tilted violently.

"What did you—" I struggled to form the words. "What did you do to me?"

Leo caught me as I began to fall, his grip firm on my waist. To anyone watching, we were just lovers leaving together. His lips brushed my ear as darkness crept into the edges of my vision.