The Price of His Little Snake

I turned to face Julian. His eyes were sharp, laced with suspicion.

I kept my usual gentle smile fixed in place. "Just a friend on the phone. She was telling me about a nasty scandal in the art world—some collector cheated on his wife. Now she's taking him for everything he's worth."

If he wanted to play a part, I would play mine right up to the end.

Julian studied my face, searching for any crack in my composure. Finding none, his tense shoulders finally relaxed.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, his lips brushing my forehead. "The man's a fool. Doesn't he know the woman who waits up for him is the only one who matters?"

"If it were me, I would die before I betrayed you."

I met his intense gaze, forcing a weak laugh. "But what if? What if it did happen—hypothetically—"

Julian cut me off. "This isn't a hypothetical, Eva. I, Julian Valachi, swear on my blood and soul that I will never betray you."

I shook my head, swallowing the sharp pain in my chest as if it were nothing. "Of course. I was just wondering."

Julian fell silent, his rough stubble grazing my cheek. I could feel the tension in his jaw.

It was absurd. He had so clearly been with Seraphina, yet he still clung to me with such stubborn possession.

"If I break that vow, then I deserve to lose you forever. You are my angel, Eva. My everything. Without you, I'd be in hell."

I said nothing, just gently eased out of his embrace.

I would be gone in three days. The consequences he swore he'd bear were finally coming for him.

Just then, Julian's Consigliere, Dominic Russo, appeared at the door. "Don, everything is ready."

Julian nodded, then gave me an unreadable smile. "Come. I have a surprise for you."

He took my hand and led me into the garden, then suddenly covered my eyes. He whispered in my ear, "Get ready for your surprise. Five… four… three…"

The moment the countdown ended, he uncovered my eyes.

I froze, stunned by the sight.

The entire garden was a sea of my favorite blue irises. Thousands of them, meticulously arranged into a giant number six, shimmered under the moonlight.

Julian wrapped his arms around me from behind, his voice thick with tenderness. "Darling, even after six years, every day with you feels as perfect as the day we first met."

The scent of the flowers was intoxicating, but it only made the hollow in my chest ache.

Six years. I had gone from the treasured daughter of the de Rossi family to the matriarch of the Valachi family, swept into a world of blood and power.

Six years had changed everything. It was long enough for love to curdle into betrayal, for vows to become lies.

Julian turned me to face him, his eyes holding me as if I were his entire world. "We'll have countless more six years, my love. And in every one, I will give you the very best."

He leaned in slowly to kiss me.

If I hadn't found Seraphina's cufflink in his cigar box, I might have been lost in that gaze forever.

Just as his lips were about to touch mine, his phone rang. He frowned, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

Perfect. I didn't have to figure out how to dodge his kiss.

"Dammit. I said no disturbances tonight. Let's see who has the balls to disobey me."

But when Julian saw the caller ID, his expression shifted. The name "My Little Snake" flashed across the screen.

I didn't need to guess who it was.

Julian cleared his throat, angled the phone away from me, and quickly tapped the screen.

I could see the conflict in his eyes—a flicker of panic, a flash of desire. A second later, he turned back to me, his face a mask of familiar apology.

"What's wrong?" I asked calmly, my nails digging into my palms.

I already knew. I just wanted to see who he would choose.

Julian shoved the phone into his pocket, his expression apologetic. "Darling, a family emergency. A traitor needs to be dealt with. I have to handle it myself."

"Now?"

"I'm so sorry. I know tonight is important, but this is about the family's honor. It can't wait. Can you go up to the bedroom and rest? I'll be back as soon as I can."

I nodded obediently. "I understand. Family comes first."

Julian was visibly relieved. He gave me a quick, tight hug and then was gone. His car pulled away from the estate, its taillights swallowed by the darkness.

I walked to the garage. I was going to see for myself just how "urgent" this business with the "traitor" was.