But I was so tired. And my sister—despite everything—looked genuinely broken.
"I can't forgive you," I said. "Not yet. Maybe not ever."
"I understand."
"But I don't hate you either. I don't have the energy to hate you."
It wasn't forgiveness. Not reconciliation. But it was something. A first step maybe.
"There's something you should know," Bianca said. "About Viktor."
My attention sharpened. "What about him?"
"When I was with him in Europe, he talked about contingency plans. He always has backup plans. Even now, arrested, he has people loyal to him."
"What kind of people?"
"I don't know the specifics. But he mentioned someone in the FBI. Someone who owes him favors. Said if he ever got arrested, he had insurance."
My blood ran cold. "You think he'll get out?"
"I think he's too smart to go down without a fight. And too connected to stay locked up forever."
Viktor, still a threat. Even behind bars.
"Does Piero know this?"
"I told him before I came here. He's passing it to Giulio."
At least the family was warned. A small comfort.
"What happens now?" Bianca asked. "With you and me?"
I didn't have an answer. "I don't know. You're still under guard at the penthouse, I’m assuming." In the past weeks, I hadn’t asked–hadn’t wanted to get involved with Cesare’s plans for my sister.
"Technically. But Piero said once Cesare wakes up and is stable, he'll decide what to do with me."
The implication was clear: Cesare might send her away. Or worse.
"Are you afraid?" I asked.
"Of Cesare? Terrified. I helped Viktor. Brought him information. Even if I didn't know how it would be used—"
"You knew enough."
"Yes. I did. And Cesare has every right to see me as an enemy."
I thought about the man upstairs. The Don who could be ruthless. Who'd killed people for less than betrayal like Bianca's.
But also the man who held me through nightmares. Who gave me choices when he didn't have to. Who took a bullet for his brother.
"I'll talk to him," I heard myself say. "When he wakes up. I'll ask him to... to go easy on you."
Bianca's eyes widened. "Why would you do that?"
"Because you're my sister. And because my baby deserves to know their aunt. Even if their aunt is a disaster."
It wasn't forgiveness. But it was mercy. And maybe that was enough for now.
