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I feel my lips twitch in a smile. I’m proud of myself. I did my duty, and I did it gladly. Just remembering the exhilaration I felt when I crushed that fucker’s windpipe with my thumbs, when I saw the light flicker from his eyes, fills me with satisfaction.

Then I realize Da’s still scrutinizing Brioni. I turn to see the look on my fiancée’s face.

Pure horror.

My stomach drops.

I swore to her I wouldn’t kill Harrison. But then Da charged me with doing my duty, with proving myself ready to lead our family. So that’s what I did. I know it was a test for me, and I rose to the challenge.

And now, Da’s issued another test. This one for Brioni.

He must’ve known I wouldn’t have told her about killing Harrison. We’ve all kept her uninvolved in our violent business. But this business is our life, all-consuming for our family’s leader. And for the woman at his side.

I thought that Brioni could handle all sides of me. But by the expression on her face and the ache deep in my gut, I know I was wrong. I’d expected too much too soon.

Da, however, knew what to expect. That’s why he and Mam were evaluating us when he delivered his blow. That’s why they spoke to us individually the night I’d brought Brioni to the basement. Neither Mam nor Da had been convinced about our fake arrangement.

Instead, they’d been waiting to test our commitment. Our dedication to each other, as well as our dedication to the mafia life we’ll share. Me as patriarch, Brioni as matriarch. Ready for every dark challenge in our world.

Except we aren’t. She isn’t.

My insides twist into knots. I did what I had to, but in doing so, I hurt my best friend.

As guilty as I feel, it’s nothing compared to the anger I want to unleash at Da for setting us up like this. For setting her up for heartbreak.

A good leader is cruel when he needs to be.

Chapter 46

Brioni

It’s like Declan scooped out my heart.

Then, the flash of a smile on Liam’s face fills my empty chest with ice water, numbing me from the inside out. It’s the numb of shock.

He swore to me. He pressed his finger beneath his eye and promised me he wouldn’t kill Harrison.

Liam broke what had once been a sacred vow between us.

I shake my hand free of his. When he reaches for me, I stumble backward out of my chair, somehow managing to keep my feet. Liam steps toward me, but I hold out my arms to stop him.

“No.” My voice comes out strong, fueled by all the turbulence in my chest.

The meeting room’s yellow walls blur around me, and I grip the edge of the table to steady myself. Suddenly, Orla’s at my side, guiding me down into a chair that’s far away from Liam. She’s rubbing my back, saying soothing things I don’t hear.

I’ve been a fool. And fools don’t belong in this mafia life.

“Liam,” Orla snaps, “fetch the woman a glass of water.”

I stare at the table as he sprints out of the room. The wood grain swirls like a Magic Eye pattern, an image just beyond my grasp.

Liam returns, panting slightly. When he tries to hand me the glass of water, Orla takes it from him, then jerks her head, indicating for him to sit back down. She presses the water into my hand.

It’s cold, and I raise the glass to my forehead instead of my lips. I close my eyes to focus on the sensation of it against my overheated face.

That smile told me everything. Liam enjoyed taking care of Harrison.

And he lied to me.