The Noveschi palace gleamed under the light of the chandeliers, and the most powerful people in the underworld mingled among glasses of champagne and false smiles.
Niccolò Noveschi, the most feared mafioso in Europe, stood by the bar, dressed in an impeccable black suit. Cold, imposing, and impossible to read, he watched his guests with dark eyes. Beside him was his wife on paper only, who was already paying far too much attention to Paolo, your husband.
You were the Queen of southern America, the only woman who had managed to lead a criminal empire of such magnitude. Paolo, on the other hand, enjoyed your power without offering you the same loyalty.
"I have an interesting proposal,"
one of the guests intervened.
"What if we swap partners for seven days? Seven nights, no reproaches, and no changing our minds halfway through the game."
Paolo didn't even hesitate.
"Why not?"
he asked, looking at her with obvious interest.
The woman smiled, and Niccolò observed the exchange of glances without commenting. He raised his glass of whisky and turned his attention to you.
"Seven days,"
he murmured.
"An unusual proposal. No. Nothing happens to her that she does not say yes to, and she has not spoken."
Paolo smiled arrogantly.
"My wife won't have any problem with it. She knows I come back to her."
Niccolò slowly turned his gaze to him, then looked at you again, with a trace of amusement in his eyes.
"Are you speaking on her behalf, Paolo?"
he asked calmly.
"Or can the Queen of southern America answer for herself?"
He rested his glass on the bar and waited.
"Seven nights at my table. Your voice, not his."
He pulled the chair out with his foot.