Chapter 2

Delphine walked in holding a cream-colored envelope. She greeted only Cassian, a small nod and a soft "Boss," and handed it over with just the right amount of shyness. She didn't so much as glance at me.

"This is my letter of gratitude to you."

Cassian took it, his smile deepening. "You wrote this yourself?"

"You gave me the Order of Merit and trusted me with Family business. I wanted to put my appreciation into words."

Her eyes flicked toward me for a second.

"And now that Mrs. Vasari is finally willing to follow procedure, I think we'll get along much better."

Cassian was clearly pleased.

He came to my side and unfolded the pages, reading line by line. It was handwritten and full of praise for him. Thanks for trusting her. Thanks for letting her help Mrs. Vasari learn the Family's customs. At the very end, she'd added:

"Mrs. Vasari has recently shown a willingness to comply with Family procedure. May she learn to set down her pride. May she learn to respect the Family's rules."

Cassian folded the letter and let out a low chuckle.

"Well written. You've worked hard all these years."

Then he turned to me, casual as anything. "Vivienne, you write one too."

I looked up. "Write what?"

"A public commendation for Delphine."

He frowned slightly, as if he couldn't understand why I needed to ask.

"She's handled so much Family business on your behalf, and people are still talking. They say she's overstepping. Some even call her the real boss's wife. You're my wife. You're the one who should put a stop to that."

I stared at the letter in his hand, and seven years came flooding back.

Delphine's brother, Gideon, had died taking a bullet meant for Cassian. Cassian swore he'd look after her for life. So he brought her to his side, and in front of the Board he made her consigliere. From that day on, she took over everything that should have been mine. I was the wife of the boss of the Vasari Family, and I had less say than the lowest-ranking housekeeper.

I asked him once why he handed over what belonged to me.

His answer: "Delphine knows how the Family runs better than you do."

And now he wanted me to write the praise for that very theft, in my own hand.

I looked away and said quietly, "Fine."

Cassian finally looked satisfied. He kissed my cheek.

"There's my good girl."

He stood and turned to Delphine. "Come on. I'll walk you out myself."

Delphine rushed to decline. "You don't have to trouble yourself, Boss. My driver's right outside—"

"I'm walking you out. Quit arguing."

He already had the door open.

Delphine paused on purpose as she passed me. Cassian's hand settled on her lower back as he held the door for her. She leaned into his chest and smiled up at him.

"Boss, you're so good to me."

He waved it off with an easy grin. "I swore I'd take care of you for life. This is nothing."

Their voices faded down the hallway.

Once, I would have chased after them. I would have demanded to know why he stood so close to her. I would have spent hours hurting over what he said she deserved.

Now there was nothing left in me.

Losing my baby had taken the last of my strength. No more heartache. No more anger.

I just wanted to leave. Quietly. In two hours.

I smoothed a blank sheet of letterhead flat on the desk. Then I pressed the pin of the brooch on my dress into my fingertip until it bled. I dipped the nib of a pen into the blood and wrote out my public commendation.

By the time I finished, the blood on my fingertip had dried.

The door swung open again. Cassian strode back in with a spring in his step, acting like nothing had happened.

"All done?"

He came to my side, his voice bright with rare enthusiasm. "Since we have the time, let's go pick out your gown together."

I glanced at the letter I'd folded shut and answered flatly, "Sure."

Cassian beamed. He took my hand and led me briskly toward the dressing room.

Then, suddenly, the hand holding mine went stiff.