I don't know what I'd say to him. Thank you? Stop? I forgive you? I don't forgive you?
All of it. None of it. Everything in between.
I still care about him.
And that scares me more than the Benedettis ever did.
Chapter 28: Santino
Forty-eight hours later, the Benedettis are gone from the city, vanished into the night as if they never existed.
Roberto left yesterday morning with whatever he could carry—some cash, a few personal items, his immediate family. His warehouses are closed and emptied. His contracts are dissolved. His suppliers have all switched their business to other families. Mostly to ours.
The threat to Liana is eliminated. Now comes the hard part.
I stand outside the Costa estate gates, staring at the imposing entrance that suddenly feels insurmountable. I haven't been here since that night. Since Dominic called off the engagement, since everything fell apart, since I lost her.
I walk up to the gate, each step feeling heavier than the last. The guard recognizes me immediately, his hand moving instinctively toward his weapon.
"I'm here to see Don Dominic," I say, keeping my voice respectful. "He's expecting me."
The guard makes a call, his eyes never leaving me. Listens to whoever's on the other end. Then nods slowly and opens the gate. I walk through onto the grounds. The estate looks exactly the same—manicured gardens, marble fountains, armed guards stationed at every corner. Yet, it feels fundamentally different now.
Like I'm walking into enemy territory.
Another guard meets me at the main entrance, escorts me inside through hallways I remember from the engagement party,from dinners with Liana's family, from a life that feels like it happened to someone else entirely. We stop outside Dominic's study.
The guard knocks once, sharp and professional. Opens the heavy door.
"Santino Marcello," he announces formally.
Dominic is behind his massive desk, reading something with apparent concentration. He doesn't look up immediately. Making me wait. Establishing the power dynamic.
I deserve it.
Finally, he sets down the paper deliberately and looks at me. "Santino." His voice is cold. "I heard the Benedettis left town."
"They did. Yesterday morning. Roberto took his immediate family and whatever assets they could liquidate quickly. The rest stays here."
"And their operations?"
"Dismantled completely. Their suppliers, their contracts, their warehouses—all gone." I remain standing since he hasn't invited me to sit. "The threat to your family is eliminated."
Dominic leans back in his leather chair, studying me with those sharp, assessing eyes that miss nothing. "You did this in less than a week. Impressive work." He pauses deliberately. "Why?"
"You know why."
"Tell me anyway. I want to hear you say it."
I meet his eyes directly. "Because I failed to protect Liana. The Benedettis took her because of my failure. As long as they existed, she was in danger." I take a breath. "I couldn’t rest until I eliminated the threat."
Dominic stands and walks to his bar, pouring two glasses of expensive scotch. Hands me one. I take it, surprised by the gesture.
"What you did," Dominic says slowly, measuring each word, "is what you should have done from the beginning. Protected her. Put her safety above everything else. Above pride, above business, above your own interests."
"I know that now."
"You failed the first test catastrophically." He takes a drink. "But you passed the second one. I'll give you credit for that."
