Then came the second life. I was careful beyond measure, steering clear of the cliff road, making it back to Aurelia alive. I said every kind word I could think of, poured out every ounce of devotion I had. But he still raised his crew and stormed the Montecarlo compound for Carmela Valenti's sake. The entire Corsetti family was executed because of it. I stared at him through burning eyes and asked, "Why?" Why sacrifice so many lives for one Carmela Valenti? He reached up and wiped the tears from the corner of my eye. "Because she's my sister." "I would betray the whole world to see her happy. What's the extermination of three families compared to that?" In that moment, I finally understood. Childhood sweethearts, steadfast husband and wife, all of it was a lie. The only person Dominic Valenti had ever cared about was Carmela.
……
I pulled myself out of the memories and unclenched my fists, my palms aching where my nails had dug in.
"Father," I said quietly, "I want to enter the selection."
He blinked in surprise. "You mean you want to join the Montecarlo alliance selection?"
I nodded.