Chapter 175

• In the twenty-three years of my life, I always put family first.Always.My destiny was premeditated, even before I was born, and I’d never tried to fight or question it. Protecting my father’s legacy and preparing myself for the big shoes I would feel as the daughter of the Italian Don was the primary focus—my priority. I’d done it all, the necessary training, the meetings, the preliminary inductions into the mafia, and I let nothing stand in my way.
• But after family, racing came next. It wasn’t just a passion; it was oxygen. The countless hours of tireless training, sweat-drenched sessions, and sacrifices—every moment had led to this big one. The Long Beach Grand Prix.
• One hundred thousand dollars—100,000 freaking dollars!—hung precariously in the balance. I could get that money from my father in less than ten minutes, but then it wouldn’t be earned. It wouldn’t be consideredmine.