I know the history of their business dealings. Enzo keeps me up to date on what all the major crime families are up to. You can tell a lot about a person by what they absolutely refuse to do. And all of the men here today have directly refused to do business with families that have been linked to trafficking rackets.
It still feels uncomfortable for me to open up. It’s hard for me to share the things that Enzo and I have kept private for all these years.
But I do.
And the more I open up, the less heavy the world feels.
I tell them everything I know, leaving out the part about why this is personal for me.
When I’m done speaking, they give me input. They strategize with me on how to shut down this evil practice once and for all.
As I listen to them brainstorm, something glows to life inside my chest.
Hope.
For the first time in years, hope burns inside me.
There's a knock on the door. Ivy Blackwood peeks inside.
"There's a situation," she says.
Damian Innocenti stands up immediately. "What's wrong, Ivy?"
"There's a visitor," she says. "For Dante."
I really hope it's not who I think it is. I thought I would have at least a few more days before he showed up.
"It's Don Savastano," she says.
31
GRACE
I've never seen Dante's face go white.
He wasn’t expecting to see his Don so soon. He doesn’t even blink until I squeeze his hand in mine.
"Wasn't your Don in a US federal prison?" Nico asks.
“He started a fire and escaped in the chaos,” Damian says.
“I need to meet this icon,” Nico says, his eyes shining with reverence.
"What are you going to do?" I whisper to Dante.
"I'm going to go see him. He doesn't like to be kept waiting," Dante says, standing. He glances at the men. "I'll be in touch.”
He heads toward the door like a man walking to the gallows.
I hurry to keep up with his long strides.
I try to read his face, but his stony expression doesn't give much away. His whole world is about to change tonight. It's natural that he's resistant to that.
While descending the staircase, he stops walking abruptly.
"Enzo doesn't exist," he says, looking forward.
"Sorry?"
