"Marcus." Isabelle's voice was soft. "I need to tell you something. About the contract. About those five men."
"What about them?"
"They're scared. The Accardi family has been visiting them. One by one. Making offers they can't refuse." Isabelle paused. "Three of them have already agreed to testify against us. To say we planned the whole thing to humiliate Elena."
Marcus's stomach dropped. "You're joking."
"I wish I was. Marcus, we're in serious trouble. If even one of those men talks to the police, if they provide evidence that we conspired to defraud Elena—we could both go to prison. Not just you. Both of us."
"Then what do we do?"
"We run. Leave the country. Start over somewhere the Accardi family can't reach us."
"I'm not running." Marcus's voice hardened. "This is my city. My co
