For blood.For family.For me.
And I put the target between his ribs.
He’ll walk into this place with hell under his skin and with God nowhere in sight.
They won’t just kill him.
They’ll make it slow.They’ll make it personal.
And if they can’t break him with lead—
They’ll break him with me.
“You don’t win,” I whisper. “Even if you kill him… you lose.”
Carlo’s eyes gleam.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he murmurs. “That’s what dying people say when they’re already finished.”
My heart slams so hard I feel it in my teeth.
My head fills with Santino.
The way his voice drops when he’s furious.The way he touches everything precious might shatter.The way he looks at Guido — like God didn’t burn every altar inside him.
He can’t die for my father’s sins.He can’t bleed in Giovanni’s war.
Carlo steps back and folds his arms, satisfied.
I shake once.
Not fear.
Decision.
If Santino walks into this — If they try to trade my body for his crown—
Then I won’t go quietly.
I won’t beg.
I won’t be bait.
I’ll be the match.
Because if men like them think they’re going to use me to butcher him—
Then I’ll make sure they’re the ones who choke on my name.
And I’ll burn the truth out of their mouths before I let Santino die for a lie that started long before I ever took my first breath.
Pia Tries to Escape (And
Fails
)
I force myself to breathe.
