Carmine's restaurant was where big-shot Mafia dons negotiated treaties over meals consisting of seven courses. I sat at a corner table with my back to the wall, just like Tony had taught me, and waited for Luca Torrino to arrive.
I expected to see a different version of Angelo - cold eyes, complex features, the weight of violence hanging on him like cologne.
Instead, a man in his late twenties walked into the restaurant, looking like he belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine. He was tall and lean, with dark hair styled to perfection and brown eyes so dark that they appeared black. He was wearing a charcoal suit that screamed wealth without even trying, and when he smiled at the hostess, she actually blushed.
Wait...this was Angelo Torrino's son?
"Miss Blaire." He held out his hand as he reached my table. "Luca Torrino. It's a pleasure you're here."
His grasp was firm but not aggressive. Close up, I saw laugh lines framing his eyes, a scar through his left eyebrow, and something about his face that was almost... pleasant.
"Let's skip the pleasantries," I said, pulling my hand back. "You called because you have information about Tony's engagement. What is it?"
"Hmmm... direct. I appreciate that." He sat down across from me, signaling for the waiter. "But first, let me apologize for my father. What he did - kidnapping you, threatening you; that isn't our family's way. Not anymore."
"Anymore?"
"I'm trying to steer us in a different direction. Less violence and more legitimate business. My father disagreed with my plans. His death, although tragic, is my opportunity to put my ideas into practice."
"How noble," I repeated dryly. "Tell me about Tony now."
He pulled out his tablet computer and placed it on the table. "Federal investigation regarding the shooting incident in Torrino Building. According to Thomas Marvin, there is much evidence against you and Tony. Federal-charges. Twenty-five years in prison."
I nearly choked. "What?"
"Except it's all made up," he explained. "I have contacts in the U.S. Attorney's office. There is no investigation. No charges. No case being built against anyone," he explained, his fingers jabbing at the screen.
"But Thomas said-"
"Thomas Marvin lied. He prepared false FBI documents, false witness statements, and all other necessary materials. To force Tony into this engagement with Victoria Sterling." Luca's eyes locked with mine. "Your boyfriend didn't betray you, Katherine. He was manipulated into thinking you'd go to prison if he didn't marry someone else."
The room tilted. I held on to the edge of the table. "Tony believes I'm facing federal charges?"
"And marrying Victoria is the only way to save you. The Sterling family has actual connections with the government - Tony thinks it's enough for this investigation to disappear."
Luca leaned forward. "Classic manipulation. They've created a threat, then presented only one way to remedy it.
"Why would Thomas do this?"
"Because he's terrified of you." Luca's smile was almost sympathetic. "You make his son human. Vulnerable. Thomas Marvin built an empire on fear and control. You threatened all of that just by making Tony feel something real."
I shook my hands in shock while looking at the fake FBI documents. Tony picked Victoria to save me. Victoria had been made the villain in my story to keep me safe from a danger that did not exist.
"I have to tell him-"
"Tell him what? That his father's a liar? He already suspects it". Luca shut his tablet. "The question is, what will you do with this information?"
"I'll expose Thomas. I'll show Tony the truth-"
"And then what? Do you think Thomas will just accept defeat?" Luca shook his head. "He will issue a real threat. Or perhaps something even worse will happen. Thomas Marvin does not know how to lose with honor."
The waiter appeared with wines I hadn't ordered. Luca waited until the man left before proceeding.
"I have a better offer - work for me; Torcano Financials. Be my partner in bringing legitimacy to the family business. I have connections, you have expertise. We can build something that actually means something."
"Work for the family that just about got me dead?"
"Work for the family and let me be honest with you." His face was serious. "I'm not my father, Katherine. I don't believe in violence first. And I believe you and I can do something great together."
There was something about his eyes - a touch of admiration, perhaps, or something even more serious. An attraction that was not business-related.
"You're interesting," he whispered. "Brave. Beautiful. The way you stood up to my father, the way you've managed to survive every crappy thing that's been tossed your way? I've never met anyone like you."
"I'm not interested."
"In the job or in me?" His smile was playful, testing boundaries.
"Both." I stood up, needing to put space between us. "Thank you for what you shared about Thomas. I'm not interested in any partnership. Whether it's business-related or otherwise."
"Fair enough."
He stood up, pulling out his business card. "But think about this: if Tony loved you, truly loved you, he'd fight for you. What is he doing now? He's planning a wedding. What if the man you fell for doesn't exist? What if you fell for a fantasy?"
The words sting more than they should. "He's being manipulated-'
"So call him. Tell him the truth. See if he believes you over his father." Luca's face turned serious. "But I think you won't. Because a part of you will know that even if you can prove Thomas is lying, Tony has made up his mind. He chose his family's acceptance over you."
I walked out of the restaurant with quotes from Luca ringing in my mind and his business card irritatingly lodged in my bag.
***
I sat in Susan's apartment that night, with Luca's business card resting on her coffee table, as I made a decision that would change everything.
"I'm accepting his job offer. Torrino Enterprises."
"Are you out of your mind? These are men who kidnapped you!" Susan nearly choked on her wine.
"Luca opposed that. He's trying to legitimize the business." I picked up the card and examined it. "And he's offering me real power. Senior Vice President. Actual authority to reshape their financial operations."
"Or maybe he's playing you to get to Tony."
Maybe, but what other option do I have?
I called the number on the card. Luca picked up on the first ring, as if he'd been waiting.
"Miss Blaire. I was hoping you'd reconsider."
"I have conditions. I want complete control over your compliance and regulatory policies. No illegal accounts, no money laundering, and no connections to any criminal activity. If I'm legalizing your business, I'll do it right."
His laugh was warm, almost admiring. "You drive a hard bargain. I accept. Start Monday?"
"Monday then"
I stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of what I'd just done. I'd just made an alliance with the Torrino family. Tony's enemies. The ones who'd tried to kill both me and him.
But Tony had made his choice. I was now making mine.
My phone rang. Unknown caller. I hesitated, but answered.
"Katherine." Tony's voice cracked on my name, and my heart shattered all over again. "Please. I need to see you. I need to explain-"
"There's nothing to explain." I managed to push out the words in a cold, steady voice. "You're engaged to Victoria Sterling. That's all I need to know."
"It's not what you think-"
"Well, then what is it, Tony? Tell me. Right now. Tell me why you're marrying her."
The silence was long enough.
"That's what I thought." I held back tears but didn't allow him to hear me crying. "Don't call me again."
"Katherine"
I hung up and blocked his number. Then I sat there, staring at my phone as if it were a bomb that might explode at any moment.
"You okay?" Susan asked quietly.
"No. But I will be." I stood up, feeling the urge to take action. "I'm going to Torcano Financial tomorrow. Sign the paperwork. Start my new life."
"But if you happen to meet Tony?"
"Then he'll know exactly what he has lost."
Torcano Financial Group occupied the top five floors of a building in the Financial District. The lobby was all marble and chrome, with security to match Fort Knox. I gave my name to the receptionist, and shortly thereafter, Luca himself showed up to escort me upstairs.
"Katherine. You look beautiful." He took my hand, his touch lingering just a moment too long. "Ready to change the world?"
"Ready to rebuild my life. "
"Even better." He pointed me toward the elevators. "I've arranged for you to have the corner office on forty-eight. Best view in the city. And I've already scheduled meetings with our key financial partners for next week..."
His face changed mid-sentence until it held a harder look.
I followed his gaze.
Tony stood by the elevator bank with Vincent beside him, both of them fixed in position. Tony looked like he hadn't slept in days. His eyes were empty. His jaw clenched. His hands knotted at his sides.
Our gazes met, and tension sparked between us with all that wasn't being said.
"Marvin." Luca's arm slid around my waist, possessive and deliberate. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Business meeting. What's she doing here?" Tony's voice was rough, his eyes fixed on Luca's hand on my hip.
"Katherine is my new Senior Vice President. Starts Monday." Luca's smile was sharp, like a blade. "I'm sure you will be seeing a lot of each other. We're teaming up with several Marvin subsidiaries on entirely legitimate financial investments."
Tony's face changed abruptly from a blank expression to one of agonized pain. "Katherine-"
"Mr. Marvin." I maintained a professional and distant tone. "I'm sure we can have a cordial working relationship despite past experiences between us."
"Personal history?" His voice cracked. "That's what you're calling it?"
"What would you call it?" The words left my lips colder than I had intended. "A brief distraction? Isn't that what you told the press?"
His face flinched like I'd slapped him. "You know that's not-"
"I don't know anything anymore." I moved closer to Luca, positioning myself in front of him. "Except that you're engaged to someone else, and I have moved on. I think you should do the same."
"Moved on?" Tony's gaze fell to Luca's hand on my waist. "With him? With a Torrino?"
"With someone honest with me." The lie felt bitter in my mouth, but I needed armor. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I have paperwork to sign."
Luca led me towards the elevator, his hand resting on my waist all the while. I could feel Tony's glare on my back, could feel his control slipping.
I turned to look back just before the elevator doors closed.
Tony stood alone in one spot with Vincent nowhere to be found, and the pain on his face made me nearly run to him.
But I didn't.
The doors shut, and Luca turned to me with concern in his dark eyes.
"You're shaking."
"I'm fine."
"You're in love with him." It wasn't a question. "Still."
"That doesn't matter anymore." I stood up straight, forcing steel into my tone. "Show me my office. Let's get to work."
But as the elevator climbed higher, I caught my reflection in the polished doors - tears streaming down my face, Luca's arm still around me, and realized I'd just declared war on the only man I'd ever loved.
And there was no going back.