Page 7

"Your mama was born Angela Sorrento." She looks at me as if she's expecting the name to ring a bell, but it doesn't. "The Sorrentos are alsofamiglia.Yourpapawas the family's chauffeur, and their relationship was...frowned upon. Anattempt was made on your life just a few months after your birth. Obviously, the attempt failed, but your mama wasn't willing to take any chances after that."

My instincts tell me she's speaking the truth, and I don't know how to feel, now that I realize how little I know of my parents' past.

"Your parents went into hiding when you were three years old—-"

"And they chose New York of all places?"

"Close enough to be right under everyone's noses, but alsostrategicallyunreachable, since New York belongs to anotherfamiglia."

"That sounds...smart?"

"Very much so. And the only reason it stopped working was because your maternal grandmother accidentally placed a bounty on your heads, when she let everyone know of the contents of her will."

With everything she's said, only one word immediately stands out, and it has nothing to do with anyone's inheritance.

"I have agrandmother?"

A slight smile cracks over the older woman's lips. "Sì, bambina.And Pilar has never stopped looking for all of you. But when members of herfamigliafound out that she intends to leave everything to Angela, Perry, and any offspring they have..."La Strega's lips press together in a straight line. "You understand then, why certain people wanted all of you dead?"

If she's asked me this over a year ago, I'd be too terrified to face reality, and I'd lie to her and say 'no'.

But a lot has changed since I lost the only ones who mattered to me, and when I think about how my parents had to die because of other people's greed...

"I wish I could make them pay."

I know vengeance or justice can't bring them back, but I still want it all the same.

"You can,bambina—-"

I want it at all costs.

"I will help you avenge your parents' death...ifyou agree to help me in return."

My heart slams against my chest at the other woman's words, and I remember what she told me earlier.

"When you say help...are we talking about the betrothal?"

"Sì."

"Have I really been betrothed to your grandson since birth?"

"Sì."

"And that'slegal?"

"Infamigliasuch as ours, absolutely."

"What if I don't want to marry him? Are you going to kill me?"

La Stregablinks in surprise. "You're no use to me dead, Penelope."

I know I shouldn't be surprised that she knows my name, but hearing her say it for the first time still makes me flinch.

"I need you alive, preferably married to my grandson—-"

"Even if it's against my will?"

A glint that's almostevilflashes in her eyes, and I can only gulp and hope that she really isn't actually a witch in disguise.