THE MAFIA BOSS FOUND ME ON MY KNEES SCRUBBING THE FLOOR WITH A SWOLLEN, BRUISED LEG—THEN HIS FIANCÉE SAID, “SHE FELL WHILE CLEANING,” BEFORE I COULD ANSWER HIM.

“No one answers for you in this house. So I’ll ask you one more time.”

His eyes locked onto mine, and there was no escape in them.

“Who hurt you?”

And from behind him, barely louder than a breath, Isabella whispered:

“Think carefully before you answer.”