Bianca left with her guard escort back to the penthouse. I returned to Cesare's room, exhausted on every level.
Giulio was there. "Everything okay?"
"Define ‘okay’."
He almost smiled. "Fair point."
I settled back into the chair beside Cesare's bed. Took his hand, brought it to my cheek.
"Your wife is an idiot. I just promised to protect the sister who destroyed our lives. You're going to wake up and think I've lost my mind."
But maybe that's what family did. Protect each other. Even when it was hard. Even when it wasn't deserved.
I was learning that from him. From Piero. From this strange, violent, loyal family I'd joined.
My phone rang—an unknown number. I almost didn't answer.
But something made me pick up. "Hello?"
"Mrs. Monti. This is Special Agent Rebecca Muñoz, FBI. I'm handling Viktor Kozlov's case."
I sat up straighter. "Yes?"
"I wanted to inform you that Mr. Kozlov is being held without bail pending trial. However, his lawyers are already filing motions. It's possible he could be released on bail within a week."
A week. Viktor free in a week.
"How is that possible? He kidnapped someone. Shot at witnesses—"
"His lawyers are very good. And he has... connections. I'm calling because I wanted to warn you: if he's released, you and your family should take precautions."
"What kind of precautions?"
"The kind that keep you alive, Mrs. Monti. Viktor Kozlov doesn't forgive betrayals. And you cost him fifty percent of an empire."
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone, heart racing. Viktor could be free in a week. While Cesare was still in the hospital. Still vulnerable.
I was still processing the FBI warning when alarms started blaring.
Not in Cesare's room—down the hall.
Nurses running. Code blue announcement over the intercom.
Giulio appeared in the doorway. "It's Piero. He's crashing."
I was on my feet immediately. "What happened?"
"Internal bleeding. They missed something. He's being rushed to emergency surgery now."
I ran down the hall, saw Piero on a gurney being pushed toward the OR. Unconscious. Pale. Blood soaking through bandages.
The doctors wouldn't let me follow. Wouldn't tell me anything except, "We're doing everything we can."
I stood in the hallway, shaking.
First Cesare shot. Now Piero dying.
