A Crown Made of Scars

Rainy nights in Sicelia were always thick with the stench of rust and gunpowder.

Rumors had circulated that the newly appointed Don of the Romano family, one of the most powerful mafia clans, had been badly disfigured in a fire. His temper had grown brutal, and three fiancées had already been driven to terror.

When the news reached the Deluca family estate, my so-called sister had collapsed in tears and begged me to take her place and honor the engagement.

I had watched her act in silence before kicking her to the floor.

I had said calmly, "When I was brought back into this family, you were afraid of losing your status. You rushed to secure the marriage alliance to protect your position. Now that your fiancé is disfigured and you can't bear to face that scarred monster, you want to shove me into the flames instead?"

At that moment, my childhood sweetheart had burst through the door. He bent down and helped my fake sister to her feet, his concern plain to see.

"Elena, don't be so ungrateful," he snapped. "This marriage was yours from the beginning. Now it's simply returning to its rightful owner. Tomorrow, I'll be holding a grand wedding with Rosa. As for you, you can obediently go and serve that monster."

My parents had stormed in as well, pointing at me and cursing without restraint.

As I looked at the selfish faces before me, I drew a slow breath. Resolve hardened in my eyes.

"Fine," I had said quietly. "Then all of you can come down to hell with me."

In the Deluca family's grand hall, the tension was palpable, only pierced by the occasional snap and pop from the fireplace.

I had just planted my stiletto heel into Rosa Deluca's chest, with the sharp point driving into her like a nail into wood.

She did not even have a chance to scream before she stumbled backward, shattering the expensive crystal coffee table behind her.

The glass shattered, slashing across her once-prized face.

Marco Conti stormed in just in time to witness the aftermath.

His eyes were wild with fury as he whipped out his Beretta and pointed it straight at me.

"Elena! You've got a death wish!"

My parents were right on his heels, taking in the wreckage and their injured foster daughter.

My father, Dante Deluca, was shaking with rage. "This is outrageous! Grab this monster!"

The bodyguards started to close in, but I gave them a chilling look and a mocking smile.

"Go ahead, make your move. We might just all end up dead."

I smoothed out my black dress and pulled a silver switchblade from my thigh holster, flipping it around with a practiced ease.

"If I'm not back with the Romanos by dawn tomorrow, they'll send a hit squad to wipe out the Deluca family."

Rosa was sobbing pitifully, cradled by the family, and I could not help but feel disgusted.

With a casual toss, I sent the knife skimming