The Perfect Doll He Discarded

I was New York’s golden girl, the perfect princess. But for three years, I loved a monster, Don Damien Costello.

I finally got the courage to propose.

And I found him kissing another woman, Sophia Marcelli, the princess of our rival family.

"I'm bored with you, my perfect little doll. I need a real queen. Sophia is the only one fit to be by my side."

All of New York was talking. Damien Costello had tossed me aside.

So I moved on, Found another man. Left my old self behind.

We kissed in a cramped elevator. I did something I'd never dared to do.

I just never expected the doors to open.

And there he was. My ex. Don Damien.

His face was pure murder.

For three years, I loved Don Damien Costello, the city's devil. Then he dumped me for being too perfect.

So I went on a date with someone else.

I just didn't expect to run into trouble before my date even arrived.

"Miss Rossi, I hear you've been lonely lately?"

Lorenzo Benedetti’s voice slithered into my ear. It reeked of cheap booze.

He was the heir to the Benedetti family. One of Damien’s biggest rivals.

I took a step back. My hand tightened around my champagne flute.

My date wasn't here yet. We were supposed to meet at this charity gala.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I kept a polite smile plastered on my face.

Lorenzo moved closer. Malice gleamed in his eyes. "Don't play dumb, sweetheart. All of New York knows Damien Costello kicked you to the curb."

He reached for my face. "Why not give me a try? I promise I'm a lot warmer than that cold-blooded bastard."

"Back off."

"Control myself?" Lorenzo sneered. "Why should I? You're just Costello's cast-off."

My face burned.

The guests around us started to notice. Their whispers grew louder.

"Mr. Benedetti."

A low voice cut through the air.

I turned. A tall man was walking toward us.

He wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. Not a single thread on his bow tie was out of place.

His dark brown hair was slicked back. His gray-blue eyes were as cold as ice.

This was Julian Thorne.

Lorenzo’s face changed. "Thorne."

Julian stopped beside me. The air in the room shifted. His presence was a tangible thing.

"I think it’s time you rejoined your family." Julian’s voice was calm. But it held an authority you couldn't argue with. "Now."

Lorenzo gritted his teeth, but he backed down.

He knew the power of the Thorne family.

"This isn't over," he snarled at me, then turned and left.

I let out a long breath. But now I was facing another stranger.

"Thank you," I said.

Julian turned to me. The ice in his eyes was gone. Replaced by something I couldn't read.

"Isabella Rossi," he said. It wasn't a question.

"You know me?"

"All of New York high society knows you. I'm Julian." A slight smile touched his lips. "I'm