"They were in the living room. My father first, then my mother. So much fucking blood." My fist clenches at my side.
Zoe places her palm over my heart. "You found them."
"I found them," I confirm, my voice hollow. "My father was already gone. My mother..." I close my eyes. "She was still breathing. Just barely. She died while I held her, and she was holding a terrified Lucrezia in her arms."
I feel Zoe's tears against my skin before I realize she's crying.
"I was supposed to become Don later, much later. Instead, I became the head of the family overnight. Enzo was only fourteen. Lucrezia was only two." The responsibility had been crushing, the grief paralyzing. "I buried my parents on Friday. On Monday, I ordered the hit on every lieutenant of them."
I look down at Zoe, at the tears glistening on her cheeks. "Within a month, the family no longer existed in New York. Not a single one left standing."
Her fingers brush against my face, wiping away tears I didn't know I'd shed.
"That's when I became the monster everyone fears," I admit quietly. "I had to be, to keep what remained of my family safe."
"We have so much in common," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "Both of us lost our parents so young. Both of us shaped by people who used our pain."
I tighten my arm around her, drawing her closer.
"The idea that I was sent here to destroy you..." She shakes her head against my chest. "It feels terrible now. Like I was going to destroy part of myself."
I run my fingers through her golden hair, considering her words. Despite everything between us now—the love, the child growing inside her—I can't let her forget who I am. What I am.
"I'm still the same man, Zoe," I say, my voice low and serious. "A man who can destroy anyone if I have reason to. You saw what I did to Byron's men. What I did to him." The memory of their screams still echoes in my mind, the satisfaction of revenge still fresh.
Zoe raises herself up on one elbow, looking directly into my eyes. Her gaze is unflinching, penetrating in a way that makes me feel exposed.
"I know exactly who you are, Damiano," she says with quiet certainty. "You're softer than you think."
I start to protest, but she places a finger against my lips.
"I've seen how you are with Lucrezia. How you look at Enzo. How you treat the staff here." She smiles softly. "How you held me last night when you thought I was asleep."
Her hand moves to cup my cheek, her touch gentle but sure. "Your capacity for violence doesn't define you. It's who you choose to protect that shows me who you really are."
Something tightens in my chest at her words—a mixture of fear and hope. Fear thatshe's right, that I'm not the untouchable monster I've cultivated; hope that maybe I don't have to be.
"You're wrong," I say, but there's no conviction behind my words.
"No," she replies simply. "I'm not. And you know it."
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
The morning light filters through the windows of my office as Enzo and I review the casino blueprints. The Venetian Rose Casino project with the Sartoris is moving faster than expected, and we need to finalize security protocols.
"Riccardo's team sent over their recommendations for staff vetting," Enzo says, sliding a folder across my desk. "Standard procedure, but I want our people doing the final checks."
I nod, examining the detailed layout of what will become our most ambitious legitimate business venture yet. "Have them run the background checks twice. Anyone with even a hint of law enforcement connections gets flagged."
"Already on it." Enzo leans back in his chair, rolling his shoulders. "The construction timeline looks good. We'll be operational by summer if everything stays on schedule."
I trace my finger along the main gaming floor design. "This place is going to change everything. Clean money, political connections, a neutral ground for business."
"And a headache to manage," Enzo adds, but I can hear the grudging approval in his voice.
"Speaking of managing," I say, keeping my tone casual, "I want you handling the opening night."
Enzo freezes mid-stretch. "Excuse me?"
