Page 28 of Bride By Coronation

She releases her long, dark hair and turns back to face me. She questions, "Since we're low on time, I assume you want the quick answer?"

I still don't know what she means about the moon or this timeframe, but I affirm, "Yes."

"Great. I hate sugar-coating stuff." She drinks more coffee.

I wait for her to speak.

She steps closer to the island and puts her mug down, saying, "The skull is the mark of The Underworld. Your father created a secret world so all crime families could coexist harmoniously. Inside The Underworld, it doesn't matter what family's blood runs through your veins. Everyone respects each other. We aren't enemies."

I scoff. "Right. And Santa is real, sliding down millions of chimneys one night a year."

"It's true," she insists.

"Did you know the tooth fairy exists, too?" I sarcastically add.

Her voice turns stern. "I understand this is a lot to take in, but The Underworld is real. Your father created it so you and your brother wouldn't have to deal with the wars and bloodshed of his time."

"Bullshit."

Her eyes turn to slits.

I don't flinch, lifting my chin and matching her glare.

She points at me, warning, "The appropriate phase of the moon is almost upon us. We don't have time to waste."

I roll my eyes. "Not following your moon talk. Next, you'll tell me that my father was a hippie."

Anger lights her eyes. She reaches down, pulls a phone out of her boot, and swipes the screen. She sets the phone down in front of me.

I glance at the screen and see a contact entry with my brother's name and photo.

I shift in my seat.

Two rings fill the air, then he answers, "Valentina. What can I do for you?"

"I'm at your sister's. Can you confirm your father created The Underworld, and that its purpose is for crime families to live harmoniously?"

Silence fills the line.

"Sean?" Valentia questions.

He clears his throat. "Fiona? You're there?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. "Yes."

"At your place?"

"Yes."

"I'm not far. I'll be right over."

My gut spins. "Sean, is she telling the truth?"

There's another beat of silence before he confirms, "Yes. It's true. I'll be there shortly." The line goes dead.

I gape at the phone, attempting to decipher what all this means.

Valentina softly says, "I know this is a lot for you to take in, but we don't have much time. It's imperative we fast-track you for your coronation."

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