Chương 1 - The Dragon
The mafia boss’s baby reached for Alina before she saw the tattoo.
One second, she was carrying a glass of wine.
The next, nine-month-old Leo Rosselli lunged out of his father’s arms like he had been waiting all night for her.
“Whoa—easy!”
Alina stepped back.
The wine trembled on her tray.
Dante Rosselli caught his son against his chest, but Leo twisted around and reached again.
His little face crumpled.
A desperate cry cut through the dinner rush at L’Orso D’Oro.
Four bodyguards straightened at the surrounding tables.
Alina stood frozen in her light-blue shirt and dark apron.
She was twenty-seven, halfway through another double shift, and already wondering how she would cover next month’s rent.
She didn’t need trouble.
Especially trouble wearing a burgundy suit and a watch worth more than everything she owned.
“Sorry,” she said.
“I didn’t mean to upset him.”
Dante looked at his son.
“He’s not upset with you.”
Leo stretched both hands toward her.
Alina slowly offered him one finger.
He grabbed it with both tiny fists.
The crying stopped.
Dante’s expression changed.
The hard mouth softened.
His eyes narrowed in disbelief.
“He never does that.”
“Maybe he likes waitresses.”
She smiled down at Leo.
He answered with a happy coo.
Then her gaze moved up.
Above Dante’s open white collar, a dark dragon curved along his neck.
One wing spread toward his jaw.
Three narrow claws hooked beneath its body.
Alina stopped breathing.
She had seen that dragon before.
Not on a man.
On a photograph her mother kept inside a locked tin beneath the kitchen sink.
If you ever see this mark, walk away.
Don’t give your name.
Don’t let him take you anywhere.
Alina pulled her finger free.
Leo whimpered.
Dante noticed the change immediately.
He stood, towering over her without loosening his hold on the baby.
“Why are you afraid of this tattoo?”
The tray shook hard enough to make the glass ring.
“My mom warned me about men like you.”
“Your mother knows me?”
Alina backed away.
“I need to get back to work.”
“What’s her name?”
She turned toward the kitchen.
One bodyguard stepped into the aisle.
Dante’s voice cracked across the room.
“Move.”
The man obeyed.
Alina nearly reached the swinging doors when Dante spoke again.
“Was her name Marisol?”
Her hand stopped against the door.
May you like
Nobody in this city knew her mother’s name.
Behind her, the baby began to cry.
