Alden Fairbourne was seized by his necktie as his fiancée Sloane Mercer

The distant, heavy hum of an approaching vehicle broke the quiet intimacy of the garden. Alden’s hand dropped slowly from Callista’s face. He turned his head, his sharp jawline tightening as he looked toward the iron gates at the edge of the estate.

"It seems your transportation has arrived early, Sloane," Alden said, his voice carrying over the lawn.

Sloane was slowly pulling herself up from the grass, leaning heavily against the broken wooden lattice of the arch. She looked defeated, her luxurious gown stained, the diamond necklace still heavy around her neck.

"You think this is over?" Sloane spat, her voice raspy and bitter. "My father might take me back today, but he won't forget this humiliation. He will come for you, Alden. And when he does, he won't stop until your entire family is wiped out. Including your precious little maid."

"Are you attempting to threaten me with a war I just invited?" Alden inquired, his cold eyes locking onto her.

Two of Alden’s men approached Sloane, grabbing her roughly by the arms and hauling her toward the driveway. She struggled weakly, but the fight had left her.

"Wait," Alden commanded suddenly.

The men stopped. Alden walked slowly across the grass, stopping inches from Sloane. He reached out with his right hand, his tattooed fingers grasping the delicate gold chain resting against her chest. With a sudden, forceful yank, he snapped the chain.

Sloane gasped, clutching her neck.

Alden held the broken necklace in his palm, the vintage diamond wedding ring catching the sunlight. He stared at it for a long moment, the grief and rage warring behind his cold eyes. He slowly closed his fist around the ring, securing it safely in his grasp.

"You leave with nothing," Alden stated quietly. "Take her away."

The men dragged Sloane toward the waiting black SUV. Alden watched until the vehicle reversed out of the driveway and the heavy iron gates slammed shut, locking the estate down completely.

He turned back to Callista. She was waiting for him, her posture graceful, her expressive eyes watching him with quiet strength. He walked back to her, slipping the diamond ring into the pocket of his tailored suit.

"The Mercer family will not accept this quietly," Alden said, standing before her. "The next few weeks will be violent. The estate will be locked down. It is not safe for you to remain here as a housemaid."

Callista’s breath hitched. "Are you sending me away?"

"Do you believe I could ever send you away?" Alden asked, a faint, genuine smile touching the corners of his mouth.

He reached out, taking both of her hands in his.

"I am relieving you of your duties as a maid, Callista," Alden said, his deep voice vibrating with absolute certainty. "From this moment forward, you answer to no one in this house but me. You will move into the secure wing. And when the war is won, we will discuss exactly where you belong in this family."

Callista looked up into his handsome, angular face, her heart soaring. The danger was real, and the war was imminent, but as she held the hands of the Mafia boss, she knew exactly where she wanted to be.