Dante shrugged. “It’s simple. You’re going to resign. Today. And then you’re going to leave this city and never come back.”
Mario laughed bitterly. “Or what? You’ll kill me?
“We have this entire conversation recorded,” I said quietly. “And we’ll take it straight to the press. Once that happens, I don’t imagine the Pavlovs will be happy either. Neither will the people, nor the government. You’ll lose everything, Mario. You’ll end up in jail.”
The color drained from Mario’s face.
“So here’s what happens next,” Dante continued. “You announce by this evening itself that after careful consideration, you’ve decided the position isn’t the right fit. You cite personal reasons, and within 48 hours, you’re gone.”
Mario stared at us for a long moment, then slowly sank back into his chair, defeated. “I’ll be gone by tomorrow.”
“Smart choice,” Dante said, guiding me toward the door. “For what it’s worth, I hope we never see each other again.”
***
Three weeks later, I was curled up on the couch with a book when I heard Dante’s voice in the hallway. I sat up and laid aside the book just as he walked into the living room with a bottle of champagne and two glasses, grinning like a fool.
“It’s done,” he announced, kicking the door closed for privacy behind him. “The alliance pushed through our candidate. We have a new federal prosecutor—one who’s clean. Well, clean-ish, but on our side.”
I set my book aside, smiling at his enthusiasm. “No way! How did you even manage this?”
“Sergey Vadim and his brothers have direct lines to some of the most powerful people in the country. Even the Ajello’s were surprised.”
“And you all trust him?”
“The Ustinov brothers say the new prosecutor is cleaner than most they’ve seen in power. So yes, we trust him. The only deal we made is that he doesn’t come after our branch of operations. In return, we don’t abuse his power or get involved in any way.”
“I can’t believe it,” I murmured as he popped the cork.
“It’s all worked out at last,” he smiled, pouring me a glass. “Your father and Mario were both corrupt to the core. This guy has principles and lines he won’t cross. I like the sound of him.”
He handed me a glass and settled beside me on the couch, his arm automatically sliding around my shoulders.
“To new beginnings,” he said, raising his glass.
I clinked mine against his. “To doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.”
His eyes softened as he looked at me. “You were amazing in there with Mario. I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder.”
I took a sip of champagne. “We make a good team.”
“The best,” he agreed, pulling me closer.
Chapter 25 - Dante
My family was gathered in Achille’s living room, lounging around with pre-dinner drinks while giving our youngest brother hell about his hosting skills.
“I’m telling you, we need to have an intervention if this is what our baby brother calls making an effort,” Luca announced, holding up a chicken nugget shaped like a dinosaur.
Achille rolled his eyes. “They’re gourmet, asshole.”
“Gourmet?” Caspian nearly choked on his whiskey. “They came from a freezer bag.”
“It’s not my fault your wife didn’t let me borrow your cook,” Achille groaned.
“Hey,” Kate protested. “I don’t want him to quit!”
“Do you think the main course will come in kitten shapes?” Federico asked with a smirk, stretching his arm around Autumn’s shoulders.
