"He thinks if he disrupts your legitimate business, you'll be too distracted to focus on the territory disputes. Make you look weak to the other families." I pull out my phone with shaking fingers. "I have photos. Texts between him and his lieutenants. Everything's time-stamped."
I set the phone on the desk next to the flash drive. "The wedding isn't just about drugs. It's about eliminating the Sartori family entirely. Francesco and Daniil have a plan. After I'mmarried, after the alliance is sealed, they're coming for all of you. Starting with your brothers."
The silence stretches so long I can hear my own heartbeat.
"Francesco keeps a safe in his study," I continue, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know where exactly and I have the safe's code. Inside, there's a ledger with every dirty deal he's made in the last five years. Every murder he's ordered. Every cop he's bought. Including the one who's been feeding him information about your dock schedules."
Dante mutters something I can't hear but it sounds like a curse.
"I can get you that ledger," I say, meeting Lorenzo's eyes. "But you have to help me hide first."
Lorenzo
I keep my eyes on Sophia Torrino, watching her hands tremble despite the brave face she's wearing. The flash drive sits between us like a live grenade, and all I can think about is another woman with dark hair and desperate eyes who once sat in that same chair.
Luna.
The name cuts through my thoughts like broken glass. Twelve years, and her ghost still haunts this office. AnotherTorrino woman seeking sanctuary. Another set of promises wrapped in lies.
Luna claimed for months that she loved me. Instead, she'd gathered intel on our operations, learned our weaknesses, and four of my men ended up dead because I'd been thinking with my cock instead of my brain.
Sophia shifts in her chair, and the movement snaps me back to the present. She's younger than Luna was. More innocent, maybe. Or maybe that's just another mask, another performance designed to slip past my defenses.
I can't think straight with those honey-brown eyes watching me. Can't separate past from present when another Torrino sits across my desk promising salvation and asking for protection.
"Dante." My voice comes out rougher than intended.
My consigliere straightens, ready for orders.
"Get Aldo up here."
Dante's scarred eyebrow rises slightly, but he pulls out his phone without questioning me.
I force myself to look at her again. She's gripping the edge of the chair like it's the only thing keeping her upright.
Christ, she looks young. Too young.
The door opens, and Aldo walks in—one of my most trusted soldiers, a man who's been with the family since my father's time. His weathered face shows no surprise at being summoned at this hour.
"Boss?"
"There's a room on the top floor. The one we keep ready." I don't look at Sophia as I speak. Can't trust myself to read her expression without seeing Luna's calculating smile. "Take Miss Torrino there."
Sophia's breath catches slightly, but she doesn't protest. Smart girl. Or well-trained. With Torrinos, it's impossible to tell the difference.
"She stays there until I decide what to do with her," I continue, the words coming out colder than winter wind off the lake.
"Understood." Aldo moves toward the door, waiting.
Sophia stands slowly, like sudden movements might shatter whatever fragile agreement we've reached. She leaves her phone and the flash drive on my desk. A show of faith, or another manipulation.
"Thank you." Her voice is barely above a whisper, carefully neutral. No emotion bleeding through, no tears of relief or gratitude.
But I catch it anyway. The slight loosening of her shoulders, the way her breathing evens out. She'd been terrified I'd throw her back to Francesco. Genuinely terrified, or an excellent actress.
Sophia follows Aldo to the door, her steps measured despite what must be exhaustion. She doesn't look back, doesn't plead her case one more time. Just walks out like she's placing her life in my hands without question.
The door closes behind them, and I'm left staring at the flash drive. Evidence. Information that could change everything.
