Letting go of me, she walks back to her husband. “This is the reason you are trying to change things, Ben. Women and children are still being hurt in this world, and it’s got to stop.” She glances over her shoulder at me before sweeping her gaze over all the men in the room. “If Catarina were a man, you would all understand. You would even applaud her for painstakingly exacting her revenge.”
“But she isn’t a man,” Natalia adds, squeezing my hand as Massimo steps up behind me, placing his hand on my hip. “If she was, she would have done what she came to New York to do. But she’s a woman. A brave, compassionate woman who had the balls to acknowledge she was on the wrong path, and she took steps to rectify it.”
“There is merit in what you have said,” Don DiPietro says, “but her crimes are too severe to go completely unpunished.”
“Then punish me,” Massimo says, eyeballing Ben. “I will accept the punishment on behalf of my wife. She has suffered enough.”
“Are you insane?” I whirl around on him, anger rushing to the surface. I did not keep his involvement hidden so he could offer himself up on a platter even if it is quite noble and gallant how he’s willing to suffer in my place.
“No,mia amata. I just love you enough to die for you.”
Oh my God. He’s a fucking moron, but I love the shit out of him. Before I can say anything, Fiero decides to get in on the action.
“You should know if Rina or Massimo die you will have chaos on the streets and lose half of your drug supply.” Fiero shares a loaded look with his best friend. “There is more at stake than punishing someone for crimes against our organization.”
Massimo jerks his head at his friend, giving silent permission for him to continue. Fiero tells them about Rinascita and everything the two men have been working toward since they were eighteen. Shocked faces fill the room when Fiero explains they have a shipping hub in the city and the ability to bring anything in and out of New York under the authorities’ noses.
It’s a game changer, and The Commission knows it.
“We need some time to discuss this,” Ben says, staring at me and Massimo. He turns to Leo. “Please escort Don Greco and Donna Greco to the holding room.” He eyeballs the rest of the uninvited. “The rest of you must leave. You can wait in the reception room downstairs, but under no circumstances is anyone to barge back in here. Do I make myself clear?”
The others nod and slowly filter out of the room. Fiero trades a silent communication with Massimo before he leaves. Then Leo takes us to a room, leaving us inside with an armed guard outside.
“Come here.” Massimo props his back against the wall as he stares at me. “Now,mia amata. I need to hold you.”
I run into his arms and cling to him. We don’t speak for several minutes. I clutch his sides while he trails a hand up and down my back and presses kisses into my hair. “I almost died when Gabe called and explained what was happening.”
“I almost died when you offered yourself up as a sacrificial lamb.” I narrow my eyes as I look up at him. “Don’t do that again. This is on me, and I’ll pay the price.”
“I’m not about to let them kill you, my love.” He brushes hair back from my face.
“I think everyone’s interventions will make a difference. They won’t kill me. They’ll find some other punishment.” I can’t be one hundred percent sure, but it’s what my gut is telling me. “I can’t believe Nat and Sierra came here to defend me and support me. Not after what I had planned.”
“They were shocked when I told them, but they could understand it. The only thing that mattered to them is you changed your mind after you got to know Bennett. Just like you did with me and my family. They won’t hold it against you.”
“Maybe.” I rest my head on his chest again. I wouldn’t blame them if they never want to speak to me again. I will forever be in their gratitude for what they said in that room.
“You’re very calm,” he says, taking my hand and leading me over to the only couch in the room.
I shrug. “I have accepted my fate. Whatever it will be.” We sit down, and he wraps his arm around my back as I lean into him. “In a way, this has given me closure. There are no more secrets now.”
“That’s not exactly true.” He tips my chin up. “You didn’t tell them about Cruz, and I know why.”
“You do?”
He kisses my cheek. “I know you. You would do anything to protect your sister. If you accuse Cruz, he’ll take her down with him.”
“Yes. I can’t do that to her.”
“She doesn’t deserve your love or your protection. If you confirm Cruz’s involvement, they will have to show you more leniency or punish a don and a future New York heir. They are not going to do that. Don DiPietro would riot.”
“You and Fiero have already achieved that. Did you see how their faces lit up when he explained? Rinascita and the port is too valuable to turn their back on it. If they want to open up the opportunities it offers, they need to keep me alive.”
“I believe so, but I’m telling you now if they don’t I’m hanging Cruz out to dry. There is nothing you can say or do to stop me. I will do whatever it takes to save you, like you tried to do with me.”
“Fat lot of good it did me when you offer to take my place!” I link my fingers in his. “Is it weird I feel kind of peaceful right now?”
He chuckles. “Yeah,mia regina. It kinda is.”
