I nodded. “Fine. An apology.”

The attendant announced me. “Ms. Lopez is here to apologize, Ms. Apple gate!”

I gave a slight bow. “My behavior was unacceptable. Please accept my apology.”

Chloe stood up. “Okay. Let me slap you twice. Then I’ll accept it.”

The head attendant laughed nervously. “Ms. Apple gate, please. She is older. Show some mercy.”

“Older means nothing.” Chloe smirked. “That face is already ruined. Slapped or not, no man will want it. I’m doing her a favor. She gets a diamond, I get satisfaction.”

Another attendant whispered to me. “Just let her, ma’am. Two slaps and it’s over. She’s the Don’s girl.”

“The diamond is six figures, Ms. Lopez. It’s a good deal.”

Six figures.

A decade of my life.

This stone could buy my last ten years.

I held it up. Let it catch the light.

Then I flicked my wrist.

The diamond arced through the air, clattered onto Chloe’s tray table, and bounced to the floor.

“I don’t want it.”

CRACK

Her palm exploded against my cheek.

The force snapped my head to the side. I stumbled, the taste of copper in my mouth. An attendant caught my arm.

“Ms. Lopez, please, just let it go.”

“We’ll find the diamond for you.”

Chloe sneered. “You dare refuse a gift?”

CRACK

My own hand flashed out.

The sound was louder, harder.

Chloe reeled back, crashing into her seat, a sharp cry ripped from her throat.

“You bitch! You hit me!”

“I’ll do more than hit you!”

I lunged.

Hands grabbed me, pulled me back. The rest of the flight passed under the watchful eyes of the crew, a tense ceasefire holding us apart.

The moment the plane touched down, Chloe, one cheek flaming red, bolted from her seat.

I watched her stride through the arrival gate.

And throw herself into a man’s arms.

Matteo.

His hands went to her waist. Then he saw the mark on her face.

His voice, usually so controlled, was sharp. “Who did this?”

“She did! The one you gave the diamond to! It just made her worse! No one has ever hit me!”

Chloe’s tears were instant, convincing.

His expression darkened, a storm gathering. The placid Don was gone, replaced by something dangerous.

“Where is she?”

Chloe pointed behind her, weeping into his jacket.

“Right here.”

I stepped through the gate.

Matteo’s body went rigid.