Chapter 1

At my daughter's private-school swim final, someone stuffed live leeches inside her swimsuit.

By the time I dragged Lily out of the pool, her skin was covered in tiny bleeding wounds.

The water around us had turned pink.

And the man responsible was laughing.

Victor Hale stood at the edge of the pool with his daughter beside him, watching Lily shake in my arms.

Then he slapped me across the face.

Once.

Twice.

Ten times.

“Teach your daughter her place.”

His daughter, Chloe, folded her arms and smiled.

“A scholarship brat actually thought she could beat me?”

Victor crouched in front of me.

“You know who my wife is?”

“Selena Hart. Acting chairwoman of Vesper Holdings.”

His smile widened.

“One phone call from her, and I can make you and your little rat disappear from New York.”

I slowly lifted my eyes.

Interesting.

Because Vesper Holdings belonged to my family.

And the Carusos weren't just another Mafia family.

We were the most powerful crime dynasty in the country.

This generation had only one heir.

Me.

So when had another girl become its princess?

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and dialed Selena.

We had been together for fifteen years.

Married for eleven.

Three years ago, I left New York to deal with the Caruso family's overseas territories.

Before I left, I put the entire legitimate side of the empire in her hands.

And I left our daughter with her.

Someone answered after three rings.

A woman's voice.

“Who is this?”

I went still.

“Put Selena on.”

The woman laughed.

“You reporters are getting desperate. Ms. Hart is in a board meeting. Call again and Vesper Legal will bury you.”

She hung up.

I stared at the phone.

Fifteen years.

And my number wasn't even saved.

Then my eyes dropped to Victor's chest.

Around his neck hung a black jade medallion engraved with a crowned serpent.

My father's medallion.

The Caruso family seal.

There were only three in existence.

And on Chloe's wrist—

A pink diamond bracelet.

I had bought it in Geneva for Lily's seventh birthday.

Suddenly, everything became very quiet.

If I hadn't returned to New York early today, how long would this have gone on?

Another year?

Another three?

Forever?

Victor mistook my silence for fear.

“Finally understand who you're dealing with?”

The referee hurried over, eager to please him.

“Mr. Hale, don't waste your time on them.”

Then he pointed at Lily.

“This girl has been causing trouble all season. Everyone knows Miss Chloe is the favorite to win.”

Parents around the pool began whispering.

“A poor kid fighting the Hale girl for first place?”

“She was asking for trouble.”

“I heard she lives off school aid.”

Lily trembled in my arms.

Her fingers twisted into my shirt.

“Dad…”

“I didn't cause trouble.”

Her voice was tiny.

“I just wanted to win.”

“The prize is a thousand dollars.”

She swallowed hard.

“I wanted to buy you a present.”

My chest tightened.

She continued quickly, as though afraid I would be angry.

“And the coach said if I win, I might get a full athletic scholarship.”

“Then you wouldn't have to spend money on me anymore.”

For three years, I had ordered Selena to transfer one hundred thousand dollars into Lily's personal account every month.

Yet my daughter was risking her life for a thousand-dollar prize.

Before I could speak, a pair of goggles struck Lily across the face.

Chloe stood there.

“You knew my mom booked the ballroom at the St. Regis for my victory party.”

Her lip curled.

“And you still tried to beat me?”

Lily flinched.

Victor smiled.

“You want attention that badly?”

He snapped his fingers.

Reporters immediately raised their cameras.

“Get this.”

One of them laughed.

“Scholarship student caught using blood-sucking leeches to boost circulation before swim final.”

“Great headline.”

Lily covered herself with both arms.

“Dad…”

“It hurts.”

That broke something inside me.

I looked at the cameras.

“Anyone publishes one photograph of my daughter—”

My voice was quiet.

“—and I will erase your company from this city.”

The room fell silent for half a second.

Then Victor laughed.

I ignored him.

I called the only person in New York I still trusted.

“Aunt Rosa.”

“Lily is hurt.”

“Bring the Caruso medical team.”

I looked directly at Victor.

“And freeze every authority Selena Hart currently holds.”

A pause.

Then Rosa's voice hardened.

“Understood, young Don.”

“I’m coming.”