I’ve sent “Valentine’s Code” off to the editor. That gives me a little time to post top secret insights into my first mafia book. It lands on February 2nd, 2026, just in time for… you guessed it, Valentine’s Day.

Here’s that Sneak Peek

(chapter 1) Ringo Devlin (best friend since they were 8 and fellow partner in literal crime (the assassination business) starts off the conversation with Mario Valentini (“Valentine”)  (our MMC). Mario is being forced into a marriage to Dianora Conti (daughter of another family’s boss) remove the hit on his head.

“I swear you were born with that stick up your ass.”

“It’s a code, not a stick.” Honor was a rare thing meant to be upheld with the utmost sobriety and gravity it deserved.

“Your code is going to get you killed. I knew you’d be here doing things by the book. That damn code…”

“The code has kept me alive.” Not an easy feat when your family was as notorious as mine.

“Well, this time it screwed you.”

“I’ll fix it.”

Ringo was silent. I’d expected him to laugh.

“You don’t believe me?”

He took a deep breath. “Listen, I’ve known you for… Jesus, twenty-five years. And you can be a real martyr sometimes, but I’ve never known you to be stupid. Dianora Conti? Jesus.”

“It’s not stupid, it’s politics.”

Ringo squared off with me. “Marrying the black widow of Tuscany is not politics, it’s suicide.”

That it was. But it was the only way I’d survive to see next year. And surviving was rule number one of the code. Second was honoring your family. I’d manage both if I could lie well enough.

Marrying someone I didn’t love was accepted in the circles I ran in. It didn’t matter that it was against my personal code. It was the only way to survive.

Want another one?

Chapter 5. This one is Mario’s point of view as well. Allie—our FMC— has just discovered: They are REALLY married, and that Mario is seriously injured. Mario starts this conversation off.

“Do not tell anyone I’m injured. Do not let anyone help you. Show them that ring if you have to.”

“Don’t you trust them?”

“I don’t trust anyone.” I couldn’t anymore.

She glanced at the bandages. “I suppose you don’t.”

I caught her hand. “I am sorry.”

Her hand fisted. Despite that, her tone was soft. “For what?”

Maybe it was time? “For not being a good husband.”

A silent laugh shook her shoulders once. The smile it caused faded. “You’re not going to die.”

“Zio Tommaso. Understand?”

“Your uncle, he’s a doctor?”

She understood me? “It is code.”

“But not the code, right?”

I couched my words, hoping she’d understand the situation better. “Your grandfather?”

Her jaw worked sideways. “What about him?”

I closed my eyes, hoping I would be wrong. “He was an accountant, no?”

My peek at her was brief. She’d pinched her lips together so tightly, they turned white.

I continued. “His clients were…”

“Criminals,” she supplied.

Damn it. “But you understand code and the code?” I let go of her hand.

She twisted at the ring I’d slipped on her left hand. “Is this your family crest?”

I nodded once.

Her face shifted as she stared at her finger. “You know, most mob wives get a honking diamond.”

The sarcasm in her tone spoke louder than words. I brushed her hand with mine. “But their queens do not.” I dropped my hand and gave her silent permission to ruin my life. What remained of it.

How do I get the book?

Watch my newsletter and my website for an update on December 20. It should be up for preorder by then. Or, subscribe to my BookBub here: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/calia-wilde

What do the characters look like, where do they live?

Check out my Pinterest board for this one. And SPOILER… there’s a fast follower (Devlin’s book) that has pins for it as well.

I mean, I couldn’t write a Best Friend and a Twin Sister without hooking those two up.

Show me the characters!