Chapter 1 - THE MAFIA BOSS WHO CALLED ME HIS WIFE
For three terrifying seconds, I forgot how to breathe.
Roman Costa had just announced to an entire room of Chicago's wealthiest and most dangerous men that I was his wife.
There was only one problem.
I had never met him.
Preston Hayes stared at us as though someone had struck him across the face.
"Your... wife?"
Roman didn't blink.
"Is there something confusing about that?"
Preston's mouth opened.
Then closed.
"Mr. Costa, I had no idea."
"Clearly."
Roman's voice was quiet enough to make the silence feel even heavier.
I stood beside him, still holding a whiskey-soaked towel.
My knees were shaking.
Roman glanced down at my trembling fingers.
"Give me that."
I hesitated.
He gently took the towel from my hand and placed it on an empty tray.
Then he turned toward the nightclub manager, who had suddenly appeared near the doorway.
"Have someone clean this up safely. There's broken glass."
"Immediately, Mr. Costa."
Roman looked back at Preston.
"Apologize to her."
Preston swallowed.
"Sloan, I'm sorry."
Roman tilted his head.
"Try again."
Preston's face turned red.
"I'm sorry I humiliated you."
I stared at him.
Three years.
Three years of stolen money, threats, and watching my father lose everything.
And this was the first time Preston Hayes had ever apologized to me.
Even if it was only because he was frightened.
Roman extended his hand.
"Come with me, Sloan."
I didn't move.
"Why?"
For the first time, something resembling amusement touched his face.
"Because we need to discuss our marriage."
A few people nervously laughed.
Roman didn't.
I looked toward the exit.
Then toward Preston.
His expression had changed.
He wasn't merely embarrassed anymore.
He was terrified.
And he kept looking at Roman's left hand.
Specifically, at the silver ring Roman wore.
I didn't understand why.
Not yet.
Roman led me into a private office overlooking the Chicago skyline.
The moment the door closed, I stepped away from him.
"I'm not your wife."
"I know."
"Then why did you say that?"
"Because Preston Hayes needed to believe it."
"Why?"
Roman studied me.
Then reached inside his jacket.
I stiffened.
But he withdrew a folded photograph.
He placed it on the desk.
My heart stopped.
It showed my father standing beside Roman.
Both men were younger.
Both were smiling.
And behind them stood a half-finished skyscraper.
"My father knew you?"
Roman nodded.
"Better than you realize."
I looked at him.
"What is this?"
His expression darkened.
"Your father didn't lose his construction company because Preston was smarter than him."
A chill crawled down my spine.
"Then why?"
Roman leaned forward.
"Because he discovered something hidden beneath one of his building projects."
I stared.
"What did he discover?"
Roman's voice dropped.
"Enough evidence to destroy some of the most powerful men in Chicago."
Then he placed a second photograph beside the first.
This one showed Preston standing outside my father's care facility.
The photograph had been taken that morning.
My stomach twisted.
"Why was Preston visiting my father?"
May you like
Roman's answer made my blood run cold.
"Because your father started speaking again yesterday."
