"THE MAFIA BOSS FOUND ME ON MY KNEES SCRUBBING THE FLOOR WITH A SWOLLEN, BRUISED LEG—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE FELL WHILE CLEANING,” BEFORE I COULD ANSWER HIM.

Isabella’s threat hung in the air like a hangman’s noose. I ripped my wrist from her grasp, my blood turning to ice. Before she could say another word, the heavy oak door of the guest room burst open.

Luca stood in the doorway, his chest heaving, his face a mask of absolute, terrifying fury. Two of his massive security guards stood behind him.

"Step away from her," Luca commanded, his voice a lethal, vibrating growl.

Isabella froze, the arrogant sneer vanishing from her face.

"Luca, darling, I was just checking on the poor girl—"

"Do not lie to me!" Luca roared, stepping into the room. He pulled a small tablet from his coat pocket and threw it onto the bed. "I reviewed the security footage from the pantry. I saw exactly what you did to her."

Isabella turned stark white. She stumbled backward, raising her hands defensively.

"It was an accident! She was disrespectful, I just meant to push her away!"

"You meant to break her," Luca corrected coldly. He turned to his guards. "Escort Miss Romano to the front gates. Her belongings have already been packed and placed in her car."

"You can't do this!" Isabella shrieked, panic finally setting in. "My father will declare war on the Moretti syndicate! You are risking your entire empire for a nobody!"

"I am risking it to remove a snake from my house," Luca said, his eyes dead and unfeeling. "Tell your father the wedding is permanently canceled."

The guards grabbed Isabella by the arms, dragging her kicking and screaming out of the room. Her shrieks echoed down the long marble corridor until they were finally cut off by the slamming of the front doors.