✧

CLAUDIA

Claudia could have been clairvoyant. Perhaps she wasn't. The next day, though, she was more likely to choose an alternative. Because when she woke up, she knew the rest of the day was going to be terrible. She had a feeling that things were about to get worse.

Again, this was purely based on intuition.

She felt insecure and uncomfortable in the large mansion, likely due to Dominic's absence. She wanted to walk to cope with her discomfort and overcome her insecurity. She went to wash her face and shower, but her feelings were still a little jarring. Dominic's family history and the shootout haunted her, making her feel like she was returning from war. She assumed it was because she yearned to talk to him now, but he was out in the world with a mark on his back. It made sitting on the couch and watching a movie with him a million times more special.

Their relationship changed once he shared his family history and talked a little about his sister. Sofia seemed less ruthless than her brothers, which intrigued Claudia. Dominic didn't have an end date for the contract. Regardless, he'd been honest about everything lately, and she kept thinking about why he'd told her.

She instantly felt like royalty after he changed and started caring about her more. He made her breakfast before leaving for the day. Small triumphs like these were crucial in a world where things varied and nerves were pushed. They would have to cherish these moments, as they don't know when they'll get them again.

When she went downstairs, the silence didn't bother her much. She knew she was slowly adapting to the empty house and its features. Showering may have helped. She only comprehended that she had no answers anymore. Her thoughts were like gambling, and she didn't know which way to bet. A knock at the front door made her jump.

Do I answer it? she pondered.

Dominic didn't mention not answering the door. However, not answering seemed wise. These small decisions mattered. What if she opened the door and it was somebody who was after her?

Since she knew she was already a target, anything could happen. One more misstep would have splattered her brain. She refused to behave like a chicken. She wanted to avoid anxiety, despite feeling foolish. Claudia checked the peephole and opened the door.

Two black-suited men faced her. She knew Dante and Max were Dominic's men. Relief flooded her. Her leg trembled despite her ease. She probably wasn't safe. His guys visited often. So she knew there was something wrong.

She gasped at how quickly her mind processed it. Maybe not even a few minutes, maybe just a few milliseconds. "Can I help you both with something?"

Dante glanced beyond the top of her head. Max looked down. Dante looked up and stated, "We need to speak with Mr. Beretta."

"He's out. He left to take care of some business."

Claudia's stomach churned thinking about what Dominic was doing to the man. She didn't worry about Matteo's fate anymore because he was Dominic's traitor. He earned his fate.

"Ms. Marcello, I must speak to him. It's urgent," said Dante, facing her.

"You can't reach Dominic on his cell?"

Both men shook their heads.

"You can tell me what's going on, and when he gets back, I can relay the message," she supplied, feeling her leg shake again.

Maybe Claudia was just being ridiculous. There was nothing they could say openly. Girlfriends, wives, and engaged partners weren't Mafia. She learned that from TV. Suddenly, the men stepped closer to her.

They looked around like they knew what they were doing was completely wrong. This was disturbing. Claudia's pulse raced because what were they muttering? She wanted to think optimistically, but this situation was bad. The suspicion returned.

"You and Dominic are faking your wedding," Dante stated. "We are investigating a computer breach at Beretta Co. Your signed contract was in his files. We must act immediately, Ms. Marcello, before the other families learn of this."

Now, Claudia's heart was beating rapidly. She thought her heart was going to burst. This was worse than terrible. This was one of her worst fears coming true. She ended up being held accountable for her actions. She had become part of this life and had told people lies. Neither she nor Dominic had a chance to get out of this scenario.

"Hey, relax," Max said while looking over her trembling body. He put his hand over her shoulder and used his index finger to tilt her chin. "Both of us knew what was going on. We've tried hard to keep this secret. We're here to help you and take care of our boss. You don't need to worry."

"There are two guards stationed in the front and back of the house," Dante said. "There's no need to panic."

Claudia couldn't help it. Her breathing was out of control. Her mind went into overdrive, and she started to breathe too quickly. She tried to hide it, but it just made her look sad. What was she to do? She didn't want to die.

"Are people after me? Dominic is targeted, right?"

I care about him too much to let him go.

Dante and Max looked at each other. She didn't need any other answer. But they gave her one anyway. "I would lock the doors and stay inside," Dante said. "Don't worry too much about this. We will handle it."

"What do you mean?" Her tone was less than cordial.

Max sighed. "Because things don't change fast in this business. It is a lot like a board game. If someone doesn't like you or the boss, they will devise a plan. This gives you time to plan how you will go on. It gives Mr. Beretta time to figure out what to do next."

It didn't bother Claudia to have more time. Nothing about this situation helped her feel better. The rest of the day, she was a nervous wreck and bit her nails when the men left her to stand guard in front of the house. She didn't watch TV while sitting on the couch. She mostly went from room to room and cleaned. She tried everything she could to get her mind off of what was going on. But no matter what she did, from sitting on the toilet to cleaning the dining area, she was always afraid of being killed.

It was less than pleasant. Claudia only wanted Dominic home. However, she dreaded he wouldn't, and this worried her. She shouldn't have been thinking such negative thoughts right now. In any case, it seemed like a way to stay alive. It made sense. Perhaps she looked out the window too much. Her entire life became filled with fear.

It made her feel crazy. She didn't know why she wanted to go to the store, but she needed to face her fears and get out of the house.

That was until Dominic came home after she entered the kitchen. She almost jumped into his arms when he walked through the door. Even though he couldn't stop a bullet, he seemed invincible. "You okay? You look scared," he said as he checked her calmly.

Claudia had no idea where to begin. There was a start, a middle, and an end, but her tongue felt like it couldn't move.

"Talk to me, Dia. Why are you shivering?"

"I thought the worst for you," she whispered in the crook of his neck. "You're home now."

"Of course I am," Dominic said, pulling her back and looking into her eyes. "But I have a feeling you have some bad news to tell me."

She gave a small nod and looked at the door.

Dominic shuddered as he said, "Tell me whatever it is. Please."

"Two of your men came by. Max and Dante. I think they left now after more of your men started patrolling. Word is getting around that you and I have a contract. We're exposed."

Even though Dominic's face turned white, it didn't help. It would have helped if he had a battle cry or looked less stressed. "Are you serious?"

"That's what they said," Claudia said, feeling a lump in her throat. "Nobody told you anything?" she asked.

He quickly shook his head. "I came straight here once Vinny and I met up with Matteo and Edoardo. There was no cell service in their basement."

"Oh."

"And now I see why the guards are all over the yard. Damn. I was in a hurry to see you and didn't bother to talk with anybody."

"This is bad, right? Our exposure?"

Dominic nodded because he probably couldn't say anything else.

"I guess we'll have to come up with a plan to get out of this," she murmured.

"Crap. I don't know what we're going to do." With his hands on his hips, Dominic began to pace back and forth. It wasn't what she needed to see. That made her hysterical even further. "What in the hell happened? Only a few people, including both of us, knew about this."

Claudia noted he was staring at her like she had revealed something. But she didn't want to believe that. "It was your office computer. Someone hacked into it."

"Then it must have been one of my employees at the office." Dominic stood still with his hands at his sides. He wasn't wrong.

This was an unexpected outcome. Should she have felt different? Shouldn't she have felt like a risk-taker? Maybe not. But she was still alive.

"I need to speak with my father," he said.

She didn't react to him. Listening seemed best.

"But I need you to come with me."

Whoa. A shock went through her. She coughed. "Are you sure? This seems like a private matter between you and your family."

"Dia, the contract includes you. I'm sorry, but it's best to be in the same room with me and show your face. Nothing bad will happen to you. I will die protecting you."

Anger was rising. Dominic had promised not to allow any harm to come to her, but Claudia was his chess piece. Nevertheless, she was now connected to everything. Her courage shocked her. She thought it was great that she was in the middle of the mafia drama. She couldn't hide her terror anymore.

Damian Beretta's mansion was larger than his son's. They both emerged after thirty minutes. Guards protected the entrances. The men outside looked like secret service agents. She recognized she wasn't on Staten Island anymore. That was obvious.

"You do not have to say anything. And I don't mean that sarcastically." Dominic turned off the engine. "All you have to do is be here, so it looks like you care about me."

"I don't see how signing the contract and pretending that I'm engaged to you would reveal that side of me."

He shot her a short glance. "You're here. That's good enough for them. My father wants to see that you were never involved with me for personal gain. Being together will show that you're not a threat and we're friends."

His words helped her feel better, but only a little. Claudia was still left wondering how this would solve the problem. She sighed in agreement and found a way to adjust to the situation, knowing her words would have been futile regardless. They must confront this ordeal together.

The interior of the house gave the impression that it had been built sometime in the twentieth century. It was roomy, though old-fashioned. Claudia was caught off guard. She felt most comfortable in Dominic's home. She was drawing parallels between both homes.

So much for being there to help. After they entered his father's office, Damian Beretta made her wait in the hallway. She heard quiet voices. One of the voices wasn't Dominic's, but it sounded like somebody yelling. She could only make out Guarini and the word "massacre."

None of this felt optimistic for their future.

✧