The air in New York didn’t feel like ho anymore.
It hadn’t for a long ti.
The Romano estate still looked the sa — sprawling stone walls, dark iron gates, manicured lawns that demanded respect — but sothing about it felt distant now. Like a mory I’d outgrown.
Or maybe I’d just gotten used to the warmth of LA.
I was used to the sunlight, the quiet and even the way Mira’s voice filled every room we lived in.
Now everything here felt cold.
I stepped out of the black town car and adjusted my coat. The late afternoon wind cut through , sharp enough to make the trees along the driveway tremble.
Donna had asked to co.
Which ant I was obligated to show up.
But being here didn’t sit right in my chest. Not anymore. It felt very different.
The front door opened before I reached it.
And there he was.
Alejandro Valencia.
Tall. Too at ease. Wearing a fancy coat I was sure my mother got for him, like he had earned the right to. His hand was resting casually on Donna’s waist like it belonged there.
I had to breathe through my nose to keep from wiping the expression off his face.
"Jace," my mother said warmly, stepping forward to kiss my cheek. "I’ve missed you."
I softened imdiately. "I missed you too."
She looked good. too good. Her recovery had gone well. Her color was back, her energy was back, and unfortunately so was her sharp tongue. It wasn’t like it ever left.
Alejandro lingered behind her like a shadow that believed it was welco.
I looked at him once, short, clipped.
He lifted his chin slightly. "Romano."
"Valencia."
Nothing more. No handshake.No fake cordiality.
Donna sighed as if we were two toddlers refusing to share toys.
"Co in," she said, pulling my hand lightly. " The chef made so really good lunch."
We walked inside.
Alejandro stayed one step behind us, and I was painfully aware of every breath he took.
I didn’t trust him.
Not because of who he was now but because of who he used to be.
Old ties. Old families. Old blood.
Enemies didn’t disappear. They just changed clothes.
I had dug deep enough to find out about his lineage and it did not sit well with . But I knew my mother wouldn’t listen.
The dining room was bright —sunlight catching the crystal chandelier, bouncing off marble. The table was set with white dishes and gold-rimd glasses. But it was the way Donna leaned into Alejandro when she sat that made sothing an twist in my stomach.
She looked... happy.
And I hated that he was the reason.
"Where’s Mira?" she asked, spooning soup into a bowl for the way she always did.
"Ho," I replied, loosening the top button of my shirt. "She had her check-up yesterday. Everything is fine."
I didn’t realize I was smiling until she stared at like I’d been caught doing sothing adorable.
"You look different," she said quietly.
Alejandro answered for her.
"He’s in love."
The muscle in my jaw ticked. No one asked for his opinion.
Donna’s lips curved. "Yes. He is."
I didn’t look at either of them.
I just reached for my phone under the table and typed:
Jace: Did you nap?
It took only a second.
Mira: Yes. Stop checking on . I’m not going to break.
I exhaled.
She said it every ti.
It never worked.
Jace: Drink water.
Her reply was imdiate.
Mira: Bossy.
I smiled. Couldn’t help it.
When I looked up, Alejandro was watching .
Not with disgust. Not with jealousy. He stared with understanding.
And that sohow irritated more.
"You’re lucky," he said simply.
My mom looked between us and I didn’t respond.
Acknowledging anything he said felt like losing ground.
Instead I took a slow sip of wine and asked, "How are things here?"
Donna’s face shifted just slightly. It was controlled softness she used when she didn’t want to worry .
"Quiet," she said.
"That ans sothing’s wrong," I said. It wasn’t a question. It was a statent of fact.
Alejandro glanced at her and I saw her jaw tighten.
There it was.
I leaned back in my chair. "Say it."
Donna sighed. "There’s talk."
"From where?"
Alejandro answered this ti. "South Italy. Old ties. The ones Massimo tried to leverage before he died."
My fingers stilled around the glass.
"And?"
"They want to test the waters," he continued. "To see if the Romano power is still... unified."
I almost laughed.
People always mistook silence for weakness.
"They can test whatever they want," I said calmly. "But they should be prepared to drown."
Alejandro nodded once. "I’ve already sent word."
I didn’t have to like him.
As long as he was loyal to Donna, he was loyal to by default.
But tension humd between us, invisible but sharp.
Donna placed her hand over mine.
"Don’t let this steal your peace," she said quietly. "Focus on your family. On your wife. On your daughter."
The words landed deep.
I swallowed, nodding.
She had never told to retreat before. At least not in this manner.
Which ant she was worried.
Which ant I would prepare anyway.
Later that evening, I walked the estate alone. I walked past the garden and the stone yard.
Everything looked the sa, but nothing felt the sa.
My phone buzzed.
Mira: The baby has been kicking a lot. She’s active tonight.
My chest ward.
Jace: Read to her. She likes your voice.
A pause.
Mira: Co ho soon.
There it was.
The only thing that mattered.
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.
Jace: I’m on my way.
I didn’t even say goodbye to New York.
I just turned around, coat sweeping behind as I headed for the car.
Because this city had ghosts.
Old shadows.
Old wars that never really died.
But LA had Mira.
And she was the only place I wanted to be.
As the driver opened the door, my phone buzzed again — a private encrypted line I rarely used anymore.
The ssage was short.
No sender.
Just six words:
"We haven’t forgotten your throne."
I stared at it, jaw slowly tightening.
War was coming.
But it was going to have to go through , first.
And this ti, I had two things to lose.
Which made more dangerous than ever.
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