Piero's eyes watered. "I love you too, brother."
We didn't do this. Didn't talk about feelings. Didn't cry. But we'd almost lost each other. And life was too short to leave important things unsaid.
A soft knock at the door. Rosa Vasquez appeared—Piero's assistant for the past five years. Professional as always in her dark suit, tablet in hand.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," she said quietly. "But there are documents that need Mr. Piero's signature for the shipping contracts. They can wait if—"
"It's fine, Rosa," Piero said, his voice still weak. "Bring them here."
She approached carefully, set the tablet on his lap. "Just these three. I've flagged where you need to sign."
Whilst Piero reviewed the documents, Rosa glanced at me. "Mr. Monti, congratulations on your marriage. Mrs. Monti seems lovely."
"Thank you, Rosa."
I watched her carefully. At Pier 76, I'd seen her with the FBI tactical team. Wearing their gear. Moving with their agents. At the time, there'd been no time to process it—too much chaos, too much pain.
But now, watching her stand here so calmly, so professionally, playing the perfect assistant—
Something was wrong.
Why had Piero's assistant been with the FBI raid? How long had she been compromised? Was she feeding them information? Was she the leak?
I should tell Piero now. Immediately.
But he was barely conscious. Just had surgery. Nearly died. Could this wait a few hours? Until he was stronger?
Or was I making excuses because I didn't want to believe it? Rosa had been with us for twenty years. Piero trusted her completely.
After Piero signed, she collected the tablet. "I'll let you rest. Call if you need anything."
I watched her leave, every instinct screaming that something wasn't right. A nurse came in to change a dressing, shifting Paola and I to the side to give my brother privacy. We were barely out of earshot when Paola whispered, "She seems dedicated."
"Maybe too dedicated," I murmured.
"What do you mean?"
I hesitated. "At the pier. During the rescue. I saw Rosa with the FBI agents. Dressed in tactical gear. Moving with them like she belonged."
Paola's eyes widened. "You think she's—"
"I don't know what to think. But I need to find out before I tell Piero. He can't handle this right now. Not until I have proof."
"What are you going to do?"
"Have Giulio investigate. Quietly. See what we can find about Rosa Vasquez and her connection to the FBI."
"And if she is compromised?"
"Then we have a much bigger problem than Viktor Kozlov. Rosa's been with the family for twenty years—started in administrative work, then became Piero's assistant five years ago when he became my underboss. He couldn't function without her. She handles everything—schedule, communications, logistics." I watched her disappear down the corridor. "She's family at this point."
After we'd composed ourselves, Piero said, "There's something you should know. About Bianca."
My expression hardened instantly. "What about her?"
"She came to see Paola yesterday. At the hospital."
I looked at Paola. "You saw Bianca?"
