"I'll call Dante now."
"No." He pulls out his own phone. "I'll handle it. This is my wife. My child."
I nod and give him space while he makes the call. His voice is calm, controlled, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. The fear he's keeping locked down.
When he hangs up, he's quiet for a moment. Vito runs a hand through his hair. "Rina wanted to wait to tell people. Until the second trimester."
"Congratulations," I say. "I know the timing isn't ideal?—"
"The timing is never ideal in this life." He looks out the window. "But this changes things. My priorities. Every decision I make now affects not just Rina, but our child."
I nod, understanding what he's not saying. The weight of responsibility just doubled for him.
"I gave the note to Ren," I tell him, shifting back to business. "He's taking it to Rafa. Hopefully we can get a match on fingerprints."
"Good. What else?"
"I know how to contact Elio. Elena communicates through the cafe down the street. I don't know the exact process yet, but every time she goes there, she has a meeting within twenty-four hours. Once I get the details, we can lure him out."
Vito's eyes sharpen. "Do it. I want that coward brought in."
"There's one complication. Elena still cares about him. She's been trying to protect him this whole time. If we bring him in?—"
"She'll understand." Vito's voice is firm. "She's smart enough to know her father created this mess. And she's strong enough to handle whatever comes next."
I'm not so sure about that, but I don't argue.
"How are you holding up?" Vito asks, and the question surprises me. "With Elena, I mean. This assignment."
I choose my words carefully. "It's complicated."
"You care about her."
It's not a question. Vito reads people better than anyone I know.
"Yes," I admit. "I care about her."
"And she cares about you. I've seen the way she looks at you." He studies me. "I told you to keep it professional."
"I know."
"But that ship has sailed, hasn't it?"
I meet his eyes. "Yes."
Vito is quiet for a long moment. Then he sighs. "Elena is family. She's Rina's cousin, practically a sister. If you hurt her?—"
"I won't."
"If you hurt her," he continues as if I hadn't spoken, "I'll kill you myself. Slowly. Painfully. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
"Good." He straightens. Puts his Don mask back on. "Fix this situation with the Costellos. Find Elio. Protect Elena. And Marco?" He looks at me directly. "Don't make me regret trusting you with this."
"I won't."
He nods once, dismissing me. I step out of the car without another word. Vito's not one for prolonged goodbyes, especially after showing any vulnerability.
