PROLOGUE
LUCA D’AMORA
TEN YEARS OLD
“ Papà , I don’t want to stay here,” I say for the fifth time.
My father, Enzo D’Amora, ignores me and uses the hefty door handle to announce our arrival at the manor.
Green ivy climbs the brick walls of the massive structure, and I’m reminded of Mamma’s favorite book, The Secret Garden .
I wonder if there is one hiding around here, too.
“I’m your son. I should live with you.” My arms cross over my chest as I glare stubbornly at the huge oak door that swings open.
A man and a boy my age stand in the entry to greet us.
“Enzo,” the man clips, offering his hand to my father.
“Conrad.” They nod in greeting before Papà tells me to follow the boy. “Hugo will show you to your new room. Remember to behave.”
“Listen to your father,” Conrad adds with a thread of warning. “Blackchapel Manor is your home now. Don’t disrespect it… or me. Hugo!”
The boy hurriedly grabs my arm and tugs me toward the massive staircase that climbs higher into the mysterious manor. He mutters under his breath, “Come on. I’ll introduce you to Mathias and Jonah.”
There are more boys?
Suddenly, this feels more like an orphanage for the unwanted than a safe haven while Papà figures out what to do with me.
I know he loves me. He and Mamma said so.
But he’s also part of the Italian mafia and is married to the don’s daughter.
He can’t have a bastard son living with his wife and newborn son—my half-brother.
That’s what I overheard him tell Mamma the day before she succumbed to her illness.
So, I need to live at Blackchapel Manor with his old friend Conrad Steele until he can figure out other arrangements.
But I’m starting to wonder if Papà will come back for me at all…