CHAPTER 3
Amara’s POV
I should‘ ve known Luca wasn’t requesting me to this luncheon out of goodwill. Le Nora Vox was not just a restaurant; it was a place where power was displayed.
Luca sat at the head with Casey seated at his right. She didn’t glance at me to show. respect, she must be so confident now that
Luca had taken her side.
I took my seat at the opposite end of the table. I was the Donna after all, and I’d be damned if I let Casey think she could sit across from me as an equal.
“We’re here to discuss the future of the Syndicate,” Luca began, “And to ensure there’s no misunderstanding about what’s best for the family.” His eyes. went to me, serious, and warning.
Casey tilted her head with a face that was
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deceptively sweet. “Luca thought it would be good for us to spend more time together -especially now that the heir is on the way.”
My fingers curled tightly around the base of the glass. “An heir doesn’t make you a queen, Casey. You’d do well to remember that.”
Her smile faltered for a second. “Of course, Donna. I am here to support Luca in any way I can. And the baby is a blessing for all of us since you cannot bear one.”
I felt the veins in my neck throbbed and my blood boiled, making me tremble but I fought to keep my composure. The room felt too quiet, as though everyone had heard her insult and was waiting for my
reaction.
My lips curved into a faintly sarcastic smile, though the heat in my chest threatened to be unleashed. “How
generous of you, Casey. You‘ ve certainly proven your… value.”
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She paled, and I didn’t care who else had heard or what the others thought. The message was clear. She was a lowborn bitch.
Luca’s gaze shifted to me in a warning.
“Amara, we all want what’s best for the family. Casey’s pregnancy is a gift. I need you to accept that and act accordingly.
“Accept what, exactly?” I retorted, narrowing my eyes at him. “That you‘ ve paraded your mistress in front of me and now expect me to play nice? That you have. undermined everything we have built together for… this?” I gestured subtly toward Casey.
Casey shifted in her seat, placing a protective hand over her stomach.
“Donna Amara, I understand this is hard for you. But you need to see the bigger picture. This child–our child–will secure the future of the Syndicate.”
. “Our child,” I scoffed, snickering
sarcastically, yet classily still, and took a sip
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of the champagne that was just poured by a waiter beside me.
“You speak as if you‘ ve already replaced me,” I said, glaring at her.
“You’ve replaced yourself,” Luca snapped, “By denying the Syndicate what it needs. Casey is doing what you couldn’t. You should be grateful.”
“So, this is how it is now?” I replied sharply, my gaze shifting between Luca and Casey. “She flaunts what she thinks she has, and you lap it up like a fool?”
“Enough,” Luca growled, slamming his hand on the table, drawing the attention of a few servers who quickly pretended not to notice.
“Enough?! You drag me here to put on this pathetic display of power, and now you want to silence me?”
“This is a warning. Either you fall in line, or you make things harder for everyone- including yourself.”
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A knot of fury twisted in my chest, but I refused to let it show. I wasn’t going to leave crying and looking so pathetic. I wasn’t the one who had done anything wrong.
I stood, smoothing my dress and lifting my chin. “Enjoy your luncheon,” I uttered icily. “But don’t mistake my silence for submission.”
I turned and walked away, ignoring the heat of their stares on my back. My heels. clicked against the marble floor as I made my way to the exit.
But then something stopped me. A strong aura that was difficult to ignore. Being a part of the Mafia, I learned to distinguish people and feel their power to gauge them. It was a subtle skill that was crucial in this kind of lifestyle.
I glanced toward the second floor, where a private balcony overlooked the heart of Le Nora Vox and I saw him.
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Don Matteo Vitale.
His mere presence was commanding- everything about him screamed danger wrapped in elegance. He stood still for a moment, watching me, then began descending the stairs, while holding my gaze, and I couldn’t turn away.
Matteo wasn’t the type to appear without reason. For a man like him, every move had a purpose. By the time he reached me, I wore a facade of cold indifference. He
was a rival, the head of Vitalus Circle I
can’t afford to show weakness in front of
this man.
“Donna Amara,” he greeted without hiding the amusement in his voice. “It seems congratulations are not in order.”
I didn’t respond. I refuse to be lured into his den for I knew that he was eyeing for a weakness to attack.
“News travels fast in our world,” he continued. “Your family is in disarray.
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Luca has chosen his… priorities.” He glanced briefly toward the dining room before settling back on me, making his point.
“And what does that have to do with you?”
He smirked. “I’m here to offer you a choice. Divorce Luca Moretti. Leave the Obsidian Syndicate behind, and I’ll help you destroy him. Thoroughly.”
Tempting.
I never expected less from ‘the‘ Matteo Vitale.
“And why would you want to do that?” I demanded. “What’s in it for you?”
“Do I need a reason?” Matteo shrugged lightly, but his eyes gleamed with
something deeper–something I couldn’t quite pin down. “Let’s just say I have an interest in you.”
Liar.
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Matteo Vitale was never without an agenda. Whatever his plan was, it wasn‘ t out of goodwill. I knew better than to trust a man
like him.
And yet…
The idea of Luca‘ s downfall, of seeing him stripped of his power, his pride, and everything he’d taken from me, was a temptation I couldn’t deny. Matteo was ruthless, cunning, and, most importantly, capable of delivering the kind of revenge I
craved.
“I’ll think about it,” I simply replied.
His smirk widened, a predator sensing its prey. “You have three days, Amara. After that, my offer is off the table.”
I held my tongue and watched him turn and walk away, leaving a bait within reach but certain to disappear before I dared
claim it.
Matteo Vitale definitely knew how to play.
