Eric had managed to get video footage from a neighbor’s security camera that showed the man who’d left the flowers on Natalie’s doorstep. But people aren’t stupid. He’d had on a hoodie with a baseball cap underneath, the rim pulled low over his face. It could be anyone and I didn’t really expect whoever had done it to be waving their fucking hand in the air. This was to let me know they’d found a weakness. That they are not above using that weakness, hurting it—hurting her—to hurt me.

This is mafia life. No one is safe, not if you’re the fucking boss, not if you’re a foot soldier. Not if you have any connection to any of us. Because it’s what I would have done, too. I’m not above exploiting my enemies’ weaknesses, no matter how fucking innocent.

Karma. What goes around comes around. I guess it’s coming for me.

And that’s fucking fine. Me. Not her, though. She’s clean. She’s not part of this.

“Why are you so quiet?” Natalie asks. She’s sitting beside me and we’re driving up to my father’s house for Dominic’s birthday. I’m planning on spending the week up there, but Natalie needs to be back by Monday for classes.

“Nothing. Just preparing myself for the visit.”

“You’re making me nervous and I’m already a little anxious. Nauseous even.”

Things are happening at break-neck speed for us. I know she’s feeling a little swept up. And there’s nothing I’d like more than to slow down time for a little while. Maybe take that trip Salvatore suggested, go away with her. Somewhere warm and quiet. Somewhere where it’s just us.

Because time is running out.

Last night in the study with Natalie, that music, her, us together, it’s haunting me. My own words keep repeating in my mind and I can’t help but feel their warning. It takes all I have to keep it from dampening everything. From stealing the joy from everything.

It’s dark when we arrive at the foreboding gates of the Benedetti family home a little before seven at night. They open as we approach, closing only once we turn onto the long drive leading to the mansion looming in the distance.

I glance at her, squeeze her knee. She’s staring wide-eyed at the house. “Ready?”

She nods.

“Don’t look so worried. I told my dad he’d better be nice to you.” I wink, but she pales. “I’m kidding. Relax.”

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s stupid.”

“You’re with me. Don’t be nervous,” I try to reassure her. “Oh, there is one thing. Dominic can sometimes be a dick. Just ignore him.”

“Aren’t we here for his birthday?”

“Yeah, more for my mom than anything else, though. And he’s her baby. I know parents don’t technically have favorites, but they do.” As I open the car door she puts her hand on my arm.

“Sergio?”

One leg is already out of the car when I look back at her.

“How long does she have?”

I take a deep breath. “Hard to say. Months. She won’t survive the year.” I try not to feel anything when I say it, but that’s impossible. “Come on, let’s go in.”

She opens her door and by the time she climbs out, I’m at her side, our bags on my shoulder. I take her hand and turn to the large wooden doors illuminated softly by the old-fashioned lanterns on either side. I love this house. Always have. And one day, it’ll be mine.

The doors open as we approach and my father stands at the entrance. He barely glances at me. He’s been waiting to see Natalie ever since I told him this morning that I was bringing her.

“Dad,” I say as we climb the stairs. “Were you watching out the window?” I give him a hug and he pats my back.

“First girl you bring home? Yeah, I’m watching out the window.”

Natalie stands tense beside me. My dad’s not hiding the fact that he’s looking her over from head to toe—taking her measure. He’s gauging whether or not she’s worthy of me. The real question is are we worthy of her.

“This is Natalie Gregorian,” I say. “Let’s try and not scare her off before she’s inside, okay?”

My father’s eyes are on hers and he lifts his chin a little. There’s a moment of awkward silence before he extends a hand to her.

“Welcome, Natalie Gregorian.”

I swear I hear Natalie swallow. My father can be overbearing, and that’s putting it mildly.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Benedetti,” Natalie says, sliding her hand into his. He doesn’t quite shake it, just holds it in his and I swear he hasn’t blinked.

I look at him, try to see him as she is seeing him. Not like his son. His favorite son.

Dominic may be my mom’s favorite, but I’ve always been my dad’s. I almost feel sorry for Salvatore.

Not for the first time in my life, I see a coldness in my father’s eyes. A ruthlessness. Is that what she sees? I wonder how much like him I am. Wonder if I should feel anything about that, because I don’t.

Natalie finally drops her gaze and clears her throat.

“It’s cold,” she says to me.

I get the feeling she doesn’t mean the weather. “Let’s go in.”

As the door closes behind us, voices come from around the corner. Salvatore and my mom. I’m doing the same thing now. Seeing them the way she must see them. My mom is the opposite of my dad. Warm and welcoming, her smile authentic and immediate.

Salvatore looks like a giant beside her, she’s lost so much weight. He’s a big guy, big as me, but that’s not why she looks so small.

I shift my gaze to my brother, wonder what Natalie’s seeing. If she recognizes the darkness that clings to him. That shadow of somberness. But maybe that’s because it’s hard not to think about the fact that this may be the last time we’re here like this. With mom alive. Not in a goddamned box.

“Sergio,” my mom says. I take her in my arms, feel the flesh and bone she’s become. Curse the fucking cancer that’s raging a war inside her.

“Mom. You look good.” She’s wearing a light pink headscarf.

“No, I don’t, kiddo.”

No, she doesn’t. What I told Natalie is right. She won’t last the year. She has months and I’m unprepared.

“Mom, this is Natalie. Natalie, this is my mom.”

She shifts her gaze to Natalie, takes her outstretched hand in both of hers. “Natalie,” she says, then pulls her in for a hug. “It’s so good to meet you. We’re glad to have you here with us.”

The warmth of her reception is so opposite my father’s.

“It’s good to meet you too, Mrs. Benedetti.”

“Sergio’s never brought a girl home,” she says, winking, pulling back to look Natalie over. She cocks her head to the side and studies her eyes for a moment longer than is comfortable. But then she gives her a nod. “I see what he sees in you.”

I glance at Natalie, see her blush.

Dominic clears his throat and walks around the corner. My cocky younger brother is tucking his phone into his pocket and devouring Natalie with his eyes.

“This is my brother, Salvatore,” I say, ignoring Dominic, knowing it’ll piss him off to be introduced last.

“Nice to meet you,” Natalie says as she and Salvatore shake hands.

“Finally, a girl who can stand my brother,” he says.

Dominic clears his throat. “And I’m Dominic,” he says.

I step closer to her, wrap my hand around the back of her neck. “My baby brother,” I add on.

I see Dominic bristle at the introduction. He’s so damn easy to fuck with.

“Go get Natalie settled. I’ll see you in my study,” my dad says before turning to walk away. “We have some business to discuss.”

“Franco, I said no business,” my mom starts.

But dad waves off her comment.

“It’s okay, mom. I’ll make sure he keeps it short.”

I watch him go but I have to force the smile on my face.

“Your mom and Salvatore seem really nice,” Natalie says once we’re out of earshot.

I chuckle. “My dad’s okay too. You just have to get to know him. This is my room.”

We walk into my bedroom and I close the door. It’s a spacious room, lavishly decorated in dark grays and blacks.

“Did you grow up here?” she asks.

“Here and in Philadelphia. My mom wants to be here now. It’s her favorite place.”

“It’s a beautiful house.”

“Thanks.” I walk into the closet, switch on the lights to make sure the dress I ordered at the last minute is here. I didn’t see anything in her closet for tonight’s dinner. It is and it’s perfect for Natalie. I switch out the light and return to the bedroom. “You okay?”

She nods. “My stomach just feels funny.”

“Nerves. Why don’t you relax. Have a bath if you want. Dinner isn’t until nine. I’ll go see what my dad wants, and I’ll be up to get you.”

“Okay.”

“There’s a dress in the closet for you. Wear it tonight.”

“A dress?”

I smile, walk to the door.

“Sergio?” She asks when my hand is on the doorknob.

I turn. “Yes?”

“Um…It’s nothing. Never mind.”

“Sure?”

“Yeah, just a long drive. I’ll go have a bath.”

I nod. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I walk out, close the door behind me and don’t like the feeling of leaving her alone. But I have to get this meeting with my dad over with. He doesn’t know about the flowers at Natalie’s house. I didn’t tell him because it’ll only worry him that someone would get that close to me. But I wonder if that’s what he wants to talk about anyway. If it isn’t the Lucia DeMarco situation he’s more interested in discussing. In getting my acquiescence once and for all, especially now that Natalie’s in the picture.

“Dad,” I say, entering his study without knocking.

He’s sitting behind his desk. “Pretty girl,” he says, resting his arms on his desk and looking at me. “Close the door.”