I still haven't said a word.
Pietro's watching me.
"Lorenzo was just about to share his brilliant idea," Pietro says, his tone making it clear he's noticed my sudden inability to speak. "Weren't you, brother?"
I reach for my whiskey, needing something to do with my hands that isn't what my body wants to do. The burn helps clear my head slightly, but when Sophia leans forward, adjusting her position in the chair, the neckline of that dress shifts and my brain whites out again.
"What idea?" she asks, genuinely curious.
Her voice is different tonight too. Softer but more confident. Like she's made some decision and is following through with it.
I need to answer. Need to remember what we were talking about before she walked in wearing that dress and scrambled every thought in my head. Something about Francesco. About making her untouchable.
Right. The plan.
But how am I supposed to explain my plan when I can't even remember my own name right now?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Lorenzo
The dining room door opens and Liam enters, his expression unreadable as always. His eyes sweep the room, landing on Sophia.
"Sir." He addresses Pietro but his gaze lingers on Sophia. "I have information you need to hear."
Liam never hesitates. If he's pausing now, it's because he doesn't want to speak in front of her.
Pietro leans back in his chair, smile playing at his lips. "Go ahead, Liam."
"Perhaps we should discuss this privately?—"
"No need." Pietro's eyes fix on Sophia. "If Miss Torrino is planning to harm us, she's just getting killed sooner."
The casual way he says it makes my jaw clench. Pietro gives Sophia a mocking smile, the kind that usually makes people squirm or look away.
Sophia laughs.
Not a nervous giggle or uncomfortable titter. A genuine, amused laugh that fills the room. She meets Pietro's starewithout flinching, and I realize she understands exactly what my brother is—a killer who means every word.
"I appreciate you not acting like I'm stupid," she says, her voice steady. "That's refreshing, actually."
Pietro's smile sharpens. He's testing her, pushing to see if she'll crack.
Sophia straightens in her chair, chin lifting slightly. "I won't disappoint you, Mr. Sartori. And there will come a day when you'll actually change your mind about me."
The confidence in her voice surprises me. Vittoria hides a smile behind her wine glass.
Pietro studies her for a long moment. My brother likes smart people—always has. But more than that, he respects people who can stand on their own feet, who don't cower when he shows his teeth.
"We'll see," Pietro says finally, then nods to Liam. "Report."
Liam's steel-gray eyes scan the room once more before he speaks. "Francesco Torrino has contacted the Corelli and Benedetti families. He's offering them percentages of his drug routes in exchange for support against us."
My fingers tighten around my wine glass. The Corellis are small-time, but the Benedettis have connections in New York. If Francesco builds enough alliances, even Pietro's reputation won't protect us from a coordinated attack.
"He's also sweetening Daniil's deal," Liam continues, his British accent clipping the words. "The informant says Francesco is now offering Daniil territory rights along with Miss Torrino. Three blocks of waterfront property."
"That's our territory," Nico says, voice deadly quiet. "Francesco doesn't own waterfront."
