Chapter 1

Gianna's POV

I was picking out jewelry for my engagement party when I saw it, a stunning emerald necklace, the green stones catching the light perfectly. Just as I reached for it, a hand with blood-red nails shot out and grabbed the case first.

"This one's mine."

I turned to find a girl about my age standing way too close. She wore a tight crop top that left nothing to the imagination and jeans. Her makeup was caked on and her hair extensions were obvious, everything about her screaming that she was trying way too hard.

"Excuse me?" I kept my voice polite but firm. "I was looking at that."

She examined the necklace, holding it up to her neck with a satisfied smirk. "Too bad. I saw it first."

I wasn't going to argue with some random girl over a necklace, but seriously? "I'm pretty sure I was here first, and I'd already decided to take it."

"Oh, really?" She looked me up and down. "Well, I'm Ashley. And do you know who my boyfriend is?"

I crossed my arms. "Should I?"

"The heir to a mafia family." She said. "He told me I could have anything I want. Anything."

I rolled my eyes. Sure, some mafia heir. Probably some low-level wannabe trying to impress this trashy girl. "Good for you. I'm still taking the necklace. And I'm a mafia princess. So I think I win."

I turned to the store manager, who'd been watching our exchange with growing alarm. "Sir, I was looking at this necklace first. Wrap it up for me."

"Right away, Miss Moretti." He practically ran to comply.

Ashley's face flushed red. "You can't just—"

"I can and I am."

She whipped out her phone, fingers flying over the screen. "Baby, you need to come here right now. Some bitch is trying to steal from me at Romano's Jewelry." She hung up and smirked at me. "My boyfriend's coming. If you're smart, you'll give up this necklace now."

I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter. "Oh, I'm not going anywhere. I want to see this 'mafia heir' of yours."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." She looked me. "When he gets here, you're going to regret messing with me."

"Sure I will." I examined my nails, acting bored. "Here's some advice, tell your boyfriend that when he gets here, he better be ready to grovel. Maybe if he begs nicely, I won't make this a bigger problem than it needs to be."

Her eyes went wide with rage. "You bitch—"

"Language." I smiled sweetly. "We're in a nice establishment."

Ten minutes felt like so long.

When the door finally burst open, Ashley's entire face lit up with vindictive joy.

A man in an suit rushed in, slightly out of breath. His dark hair was perfectly styled. He looked exactly like the kind of guy who'd date a girl like Ashley, all flash, no substance.

"Baby, thank God you're here!" Ashley started toward him. "This girl—"

He froze mid-step.

Our eyes met.

Every single drop of blood drained from his face until he looked like he might pass out right there on the marble floor.

"Albert?"

My brain couldn't process what I was seeing.

Albert Sanchez. My fiancé. My future husband.

Standing in front of me. After being called here by another woman. By this trashy girl who'd just called him baby.