Chapter 17

The wedding was set for three months out.

Cole took me from the Ridgewood estate back to the family headquarters in Manhattan.

On the way, none of it felt real. I couldn't stop myself asking, "Do you actually want to marry me?"

Cole laughed. "You'd be carrying this family's risk with me for the rest of your life. That doesn't scare you?"

"No," I said. "I figured you'd keep me around as a mistress at best."

I believed I was worth loving. But I grew up in an orphanage with no name behind me, and I couldn't imagine the Marchetti family ignoring that.

Cole took my hand and held it tight. "I told you. I'll give you everything I have to give."

I found out later I wasn't qualified for the position by birth alone. Cole had taken a shipment and a set of intel off a rival family and used it to push the marriage through the Commission over every objection.

I hugged him, teasing. "Thank you for being so good to me. I'll be good to you too."

Cole was just as honest back. "Don't thank me. I have my own reasons. I'd rather marry someone I actually want, someone I don't have to watch my back around, than a wife from some alliance I'd have to guard against every night. I know you'll run this family well."

That conversation pulled us closer.

After that, I waited for the wedding without worry.

There was no word from Rio, and I didn't go looking for any.

I saw him again the day before the wedding.

Cole had sent him out to handle business away from headquarters. He was back to report in.

He'd lost more weight. His once-sharp features had dulled, his eyes sunken and hollow. His left hand was still wrapped in bandages.

He froze when he saw me.

"Nina. That night. Were you hurt?"

Hearing him say my name stung, sharp and sudden.

I kept my face still. "You know now."