"I trust that she wants the truth," I say, choosing my words carefully. "And right now, our interests align."
What I don't say is that my interests and Olivia's have aligned in ways none of these men can forgive.
I hold their stares, refusing to flinch under the collective weight of La Corona's judgment. These men respect strength above all else.
"She shared with me the discovery of financial discrepancies in assets seized from Monti territory. Money that disappeared after FBI raids." I stick to the facts. "She traced the vehicle used in Rocco's kidnapping and discovered someone used a vehicle by an agent who couldn’t have possibly taken it and switched the plates with hers.”
Marco's expression remains granite-hard, but I catch the flicker of interest in his eyes. "And what does Agent Ricci expect in return for this... cooperation?"
"Justice." The word sounds almost naive in this room. "She wants to expose corruption within her own ranks. She's a true believer. It's what makes her dangerous to us, but also valuable."
Roman snorts. "You think she's not playing you? Setting us all up for a RICO case that'll put every man in this room away for life?"
"She could've arrested me a dozen times over with what she knows now," I counter. "Instead, she's putting her career, her life, on the line."
Leo shakes his head. "You sound like a lovesick teenager, Dominic. This woman has clouded your judgment."
I push forward before they can see the truth of those words on my face. "Roman, you’ve seen firsthand how Blackwood manipulated Isabella, fed her false information about her mother's death. You too, Marco, with how he tried to convince Gabriella you were trying to take over Antonio’s territory. Olivia?—”
“It’s Olivia now?” Leo asks.
“Agent Ricci sees what we do. There’s corruption in the Organized Crime Unit of the FBI. She’s a valuable asset to getting the justice Mrs. Ferraza and Rocco and the rest of the families deserve.”
“This is ludicrous.” Luca looks at each don incredulously. “You’re not buying this are you?”
“You don’t have to buy what I’m selling.” I turn to face Roman. "I want you to meet with Olivia. Hear what she has to say. Compare notes on everything you’ve gathered."
Roman's eyes narrow. "You want me to sit down with an FBI agent?"
"Yes." I meet his gaze unflinchingly. "But there's one condition that's non-negotiable."
Marco raises an eyebrow. "You're setting conditions now?"
"Just one." I look back at Roman. "You don't kill her. No matter what she says, no matter what you think of her information. She lives."
I catch the dangerous shift in Roman's expression. His jaw tightens as he processes my demand.
"Interesting that you feel the need to specify that condition, Dominic," Marco says. "We don't typically kill law enforcement. You know this."
"I know it's more of a guideline than a rule," I counter, holding his gaze. "Let's not pretend we haven't made exceptions when necessary."
The room fills with a tense silence.
"Besides," I continue, "someone already wants her dead. Most likely the same someone who's been manipulating us all along."
Roman leans forward. "You think Blackwood ordered the hit on his own agent?"
“It was more of a warning. Told her back off. It happened right after Blackwood was made aware that she knew about the missing money and the funny business with the transports.” I spread my hands. "If he's willing to orchestrate the kidnapping of a child to frame us, what's one nosy agent who's getting too close to the truth?"
“Still, Dom this is?—”
“You seem to forget that her father was on my father's payroll for years. Although that tidbit I’d like to stay just among us.”
Marco's eyebrows lift slightly. "She doesn't know?"
"No. She idolizes him. Thinks he died a hero." I feel a twist of guilt at keeping the truth from her. "He was killed in the line of duty. Not something related to us, although my father always thought there was something not right about it. Of course, he dropped dead before he could get to the bottom of it.”
Roman crosses his arms. "You think we owe her something because her father took your money?"
