He swallows hard.
"I already know who." I grip the edge of my desk. "The question is what you're going to do about it."
"Anything. I'll do anything to make this right."
"Will you?"
"Yes. Of course."
I study him. This weak man who can't even control his own people.
"Someone in your family is working with an outside party," I say. "Someone who calls himself Smoke."
Lucio's eyes widen. Just slightly.
There. He knows the name.
"You've heard of him," I observe.
"I... rumors. Just rumors."
"What rumors?"
"That someone new is making moves in Chicago. Quiet moves. But I thought—I didn't think?—"
"You didn't think it involved you." I cross my arms. "That's the problem with weak people, Lucio. First they do harm. Then they don't have the balls to take responsibility."
"I'm taking responsibility now."
"Are you?"
He nods frantically. "Whatever you need. Whatever it takes."
I let the silence build again.
Let him sweat.
"I could end every Corelli member within five minutes if I wanted to," I say quietly. "Do you believe that?"
"Yes." His voice cracks.
"Good. Because it's true."
Igor's hand moves to his weapon. Just resting there. A reminder.
"The only reason I'm not doing it," I continue, "is because the Sartoris asked me not to."
Lucio's shoulders sag with relief.
Premature.
"But that protection has limits," I add. "You understand?"
"Yes. Yes, I understand."
"Do you?" I move closer. "Because from where I'm standing, you're harboring someone who attacked my engagement party. Who kidnapped my fiancée. Who killed twenty-three of my people."
"I didn't know?—"
