The crowd parts, conversations dropping to murmurs, and I see why.
My brother Cristiano walks through the casino like he owns it, which he does now. He’s accompanied by several capos I don’t recognize, men with hard eyes and expensive suits. His own suit is impeccable, charcoal gray with subtle pinstripes, and he wears it with the easy confidence of someone born into power.
He looks like our father.
The realization hits me with unexpected force. Same height, same build, though he’s leaner and fitter and better-looking. He has a way of moving through a room like he expects it to rearrange itself around him.
But his eyes are different. Controlled. He’s ice where our father was fire.
Those eyes find me across the casino floor, and my breath catches.
Does he know? Has he figured out what I did?
Cristiano makes his way toward me, his entourage following at a respectful distance. Before reaching me, he stops several feet away and just watches me.
“Sorellina,” he murmurs, using the Italian he must have grown accustomed to while he was away.Little sister. “You look well. And you, Miss Barone,” he adds with a polite nod to Lucy, who returns it.
“Cristiano.” My voice comes out steadier than I feel. “I didn’t know you were back in Malus.”
I feel Vincenzo move protectively to my side and wrap his arm around my waist.
The two men size each other up in silence, two predators unexpectedly face to face on the same territory. Vincenzo doesn’t step back, doesn’t lower his eyes. He meets my brother’s stare with quiet confidence.
“Vici,” Cristiano says finally. It’s not quite a greeting.
“Montoni.” Vincenzo’s voice is carefully neutral.
The silence stretches. I wait for Cristiano to say something, a threat, a warning, anything, but he doesn’t. He just watches Vincenzo with cold, assessing eyes.
Finally, Cristiano’s gaze flicks back to me. “Things are going to be different now I’m back, Adora. The family needs strong leadership after Dad’s…unfortunate passing. I intend to provide that.”
“I’m sure you will,” I say carefully.
“Come see me at the mansion sometime.” His invitation could be affectionate or threatening. I honestly can’t tell. “We have much to discuss. Family matters.”
“Of course.”
He nods once, then turns and walks away, his capos falling into formation around him. The casino’s energy shifts again as people return to their games and conversations, the moment passing.
“Well,” Lucy says into the silence that follows, her eyes wide. “A new don in Malus. That will shake things up.”
“Two new dons,” Vincenzo corrects her, and Lucy’s eyes drop to the raven signet ring on his finger.
Lucy nods, her eyes on the ring. “Oh, yes. Things are definitely going to get interesting in Malus.”
I watch my brother disappear into the back rooms of the casino, and I wonder what he meant by speaking to me of family matters.
Does he suspect I killed Dad? Does he know? Does he even care? Or does he want me to understand my place in the Montoni family now we have a new don?
My place is at Vincenzo’s side, because I’m a Vici now.
“Doe,” Vincenzo says, his hand finding mine. “Would you like to stay longer, or shall we get out of here?”
“Let’s go home.”
We say our goodbyes to Lucy and Damiano. As she returns to her brother, Damiano immediately pulls Lucy back to his side, his arm sliding around her waist with unmistakable possession. She leans into him naturally, her head tilting toward his shoulder as they whisper to each other, no doubt discussing the implication of the return of Cristiano Montoni.
As we make our way toward the exit, I glance back one more time.
