Betrayed by the Capo, Crowned by the Don

After my father, the Syndicate's most respected Consigliere, died, I was sent to a brutal training camp. My arranged fiancé, Capo Luca, despised me and only wanted to swallow my family's assets.

One afternoon, Luca forced me to escort his lower-level mistress, Lucia, to the isolated washroom. Behind a locked stall, she delivered a stillborn baby, covered her hands in blood, and ran out screaming that I had just murdered my own hidden infant to protect my reputation.

The entire compound instantly turned against me. Dozens of armed soldiers surrounded me, racking their rifles and roaring for my immediate execution. Luca played the devastated fiancé perfectly, publicly condemning me to death for treason. He swore he had never touched me, using the dead child as proof of my sins so he could legally steal my inheritance.

He really thought I was just a helpless pawn. He believed his rank and his twisted lies would easily send me to my grave, allowing him to rule the compound with his mistress.

But he didn't know someone far more powerful had slipped me an anonymous warning and a hidden camera that morning.

As the Syndicate's legendary and ruthless Don Alessandro arrived to pass judgment, I didn't beg for mercy. I calmly held up the black device.

"I don't have to defend myself."

"Because the Don just watched your entire setup live on his encrypted server."

Chapter 1

Gianna POV

The heat in the training compound was a weight—iron roofs groaning, dust rising from every footstep. I sat on my cot, staring at a black folio that had appeared under my door. Crimson wax, Falcone crest. A chill crawled up my spine.

Inside, one typed line:

At 2:00 PM, your fiancé's pregnant mistress will fake a stillbirth in the washroom and frame you for murder. Let us see if you have fangs.

Only one man could bypass compound security and treat my life as a chess piece: Don Alessandro Falcone. The Boss who left rival heads on pikes. He was watching me.

I ran my finger under the card's lining and found a metallic wafer. A scrap of paper: Linked to Falcone server. Transmits live.

I didn't hesitate. I dropped the letter into the trash can and lit a match. The paper curled to ash.

Two o'clock.

A heavy knock. Luca filled my doorway, jaw tight. Beside him, Lucia leaned on his arm, pale, trembling.

"Gianna. Escort her to the washroom. Now."

I crossed my arms. "No."

Luca stepped in, chest nearly touching mine. "You will obey, or I'll strip your standing. Do not disrespect me."

I didn't flinch. "I said no, Luca."

His grip crushed my arm. "Take her to Dr. Romano if she's sick," I said, loud enough for the corridor to hear. "Her stomach's swollen—looks more than cramps."

Lucia gasped, knees buckling theatrically. "Why are you so cruel, Gianna? I just need help!"

Luca shoved me aside and caught her. Then he roared: "Everyone out! Two hours of planks—no water, no breaks! All because Gianna forgot Family!"

Dozens of soldiers dropped to the burning dirt. Their glares burned into my skin.

Luca crouched, grabbed my hair, yanked my head back. "You will take her. Refuse again, and these men bleed until nightfall—and they'll blame you."

I looked at their red, shaking faces. They would kill me in my sleep.

I couldn't avoid the trap. I had to walk in and burn it from inside.

"Fine." I wrenched free. "I'll take her."

Inside my quarters, I retrieved my leather satchel. My fingers found the cold metal device. I pressed the button—a tiny vibration confirmed transmission.

I stepped back into the sun, hand closed around a secret that could save me—or end me. The trap was set. Now I spring it.