Sienna stood very still for a long moment, processing everything. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady. "You destroyed your own family for power you were never going to keep. Because even if you'd succeeded—even if you'd killed me and blamed Luca—my father would have known. He'd have torn you apart."
"Your father is dying," Giuseppe said bluntly. "He has weeks, maybe days. Once he's gone—"
"Once he's gone, I'm the head of the Moretti family," Sienna interrupted. "His will is very specific. Ironclad. You really think he didn't plan for your betrayal?" She smiled without humor. "He's been three steps ahead of you this entire time, Uncle. Just like always."
The color drained from Giuseppe's face. "That's not—he wouldn't—"
"He already did." She turned to me. "The documents my father's lawyer sent last week. The ones you had Marco verify?"
I nodded. "Authentic. Don Moretti named Sienna his successor two months ago. Filed with the family council, witnessed by three capos. Legal and binding."
Giuseppe slumped in his chair, the fight finally leaving him. He'd played his hand and lost everything.
Sienna studied him for a long moment. When she spoke, her voice was quiet but absolute. "You have two choices, Uncle. You can die tonight, quickly, for what you tried to do to me and my child. Or—" she paused, "—you can disappear. There's a compound in Alaska. Remote. Secure. You'll live there under guard for the rest of your natural life. No contact with anyone from your old life. No access to money or power. Just existence."
"That's not a choice," Giuseppe said bitterly. "That's a prison sentence."
"It's more mercy than you showed me." Her hand moved protectively to her stomach. "And it's more than you deserve. But my father loved you once, and for his sake, I'm offering you your life. Take it or refuse it. Decide now."
Giuseppe looked at her—really looked at her—and seemed to finally see the woman she'd become. Not the frightened girl hecould manipulate, but someone harder. Someone who'd survived his schemes and come out stronger.
"Alaska," he said finally. "I'll take Alaska."
Sienna nodded once, then turned away from him. "Get him out of here. I don't want to see him again."
Dante moved forward to comply. As they hauled Giuseppe to his feet, he called out, "Sienna—"
She didn't turn around. "Goodbye, Uncle."
After Giuseppe was removed, only Francesco remained. He looked up at Sienna, then at me, jaw tight with fear.
"Francesco helped him," I explained to Sienna. "Gave him security codes, guard rotations. Made sure you'd overhear the override passwords."
She studied Francesco for a long moment. "Why?"
"My sister, ma'am," Francesco said quietly. "Giuseppe had her. Said he'd kill her if I didn't cooperate."
"And is she safe now?"
"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Romano's people got her out."
Sienna looked at me. "What do you think should happen to him?"
"That's your decision," I said. "He betrayed us. But he also fed Giuseppe the Queens location knowing it was a trap. He chose a side in the end."
She considered this, then turned back to Francesco. "You're done with security. Permanently. Luca will find you work—legitimate work—somewhere you can't cause trouble. But if you ever betray us again—"
"I won't, Mrs. Romano," Francesco said quickly. "You have my word."
"Your word almost got me killed." Her voice was cold. "But you get one chance. Don't waste it."
After Francesco was led away, Sienna finally let herself collapse into my arms. I held her as she shook—not with tears, but with the adrenaline finally leaving her system.
"You did well," I murmured against her hair.
"I sentenced my own uncle to life imprisonment."
"You showed him mercy he didn't deserve. That takes strength, not weakness."
