I swallow hard, feeling my resolve wavering. Is he saying that he already knows? Or is he warning me not to dig any deeper?
"So take a moment to consider what you want to say to me, DeLuca. I have worked hard to mend this Family, to re-establish trust among its members. If what you have to say will truly benefit the Family, then speak. But if exposing more secrets will only bring harm, then…" He shrugs. "Then perhaps it would be better to let them lie buried."
I turn it over in my mind. Clemenza's death meant that his attempts to revive his Family friends in New York failed—and mean the Morellis are still cool with us. AJ Bernardi is dead. That's not a bad thing at all, because the guy deserved it, and because now Gino—or Roxy—can shore up the fragments of that Family, and they're allied with us.
Even Chops Lollo met a kind of justice—he broke the peace of the parley when he killed Clemenza. Even if itwasunder orders, that's no excuse.
And Roxy…
Roxanne Rochford is a snake, there's no denying it. But her Family is stronger for her actions. And she, like Darian, has made no oaths. Made no promises…
She's not even tied by law to Gino, not yet.
And there's one thing that has stuck with me, even while Darian and I have been pointing fingers at Roxy and Julian.
Sandro was the one who put Russo in that room with the secret passage. And Sandro must have known it was there. Sure, it was blocked off by the wardrobe, but…
"Don Castellani," I say slowly, "are you telling me that the ends justify the means?"
He watches me closely, then sits back in his chair, more relaxed. "I am telling you that the bonds that tie this Family together are paramount to me. And while I would not perhaps say this publicly, AJ Bernardi's demise was inevitable after what he did to Julian." There's a fierce protectiveness in his eyes.
"Because Julian's your brother?"
"Because Julian is my brother. But you are my brother, too, Raffi. My brother through blood oaths, and in my heart as well."
I stare at him. He means it, absolutely means it.
"When you made your oaths to me," he says, "I made one to you, too, did I not?"
I think back to that night, the night we were all called to make a new vow, swearing this time to Alessandro Castellani, the new Don. I remember the promises I made.
And I remember his promises back to us. To serve the Family. To lead us as first among brothers. To ensure justice if we are hurt, and if justice isn't possible, to carry out vengeance instead.
I wanted Russo to pay for what he did to Darian. And Russo…well, he paid, alright.
"Raffi?" Sandro prompts.
He never calls me Raffi. "Yes, Sandro. You made promises to us. To me."
"And I meant them. Regarding Julian and Leo—I would have personally seen to AJ's end if necessary, but they wanted their chance. It was in my power to give it to them, though in fact Iwould have preferred to do it myself. To protect them, to take vengeance for them, because I love them. Because they are my Family. And…I know you feel the same way about Darian."
My heart clenches at the mention of his name, and I struggle to maintain my composure as I think of the lies I told to protect him. "Yes," I reply hoarsely, "I do. I do love him, and I'd do anything for him."
"Good." Sandro nods, and for a moment, there's an understanding between us. Sandro knows. He knows what I've lied about and when, that I knew about Darian's mom and chose not to tell him….
And he doesn't want to hear me admit it, because it would force his hand.
"Now, it's true," he goes on, "that I seized an opportunity presented to me, without regrets, to get rid of AJ Bernardi. Whether that opportunity was a gift from God, or whether someone orchestrated it…" He looks up from beneath his brows. "Frankly, I don't care."
"But what about thetruth?" I ask. "Isn't the truth just as important?"
"I value your integrity. But there are times when things like truth—integrity—honor—must be sacrificed for the greater good of the Family. Do you understand?"
I swallow hard. "I don't know if I can accept that, Don Castellani."
"You're a good man, DeLuca. Too good, perhaps, for this life we lead. So I will give you a choice. If your honor prevents you fromaccepting the difficult decisions that come with being part of this Family, you may leave. I will release you from your oath."
Leave. I was just thinking about it a few minutes ago, but after all these years, all the blood and sacrifice—no. I don't think I can. But if I stay, can I live with the stains on this Family's honor?
