Giulio pulled up files on his tablet. "Viktor's underboss, Dmitri Volkov. Matteo's brother-in-law. He's always been more pragmatic than loyal."
"Approach him. Offer protection for his family in exchange for testimony against Viktor. Kidnapping. Attempted murder. RICO charges. Stack them so high no judge grants bail."
Paola spoke up. "You're dismantling his organization from the inside."
"Exactly. By Monday, Viktor will be alone. No money for bail, no allies, no leverage. Just a man facing multiple felonies."
Giulio nodded. "I'll reach out to Dmitri. Carefully."
"Use Matteo. Brother-in-law to brother-in-law. Frame it as protecting family from Viktor's inevitable fall."
After Giulio left, Paola said, "You're really going to dismantle Viktor's entire operation in three days?"
"I'm going to try. Viktor's power comes from fear. Break that, and he's nothing."
She studied me. "You've done this before."
"It's how my father consolidated power. How I maintained it after he died. Loyalty bought with fear doesn't last. Loyalty earned through respect does."
She kissed my forehead. "You're nothing like Viktor."
A nurse appeared. "Mr. Monti, you need to get back to your room. You've been up too long."
My body was screaming, pain radiating from my chest. Exhaustion pulling at my consciousness.
"I'll be back tomorrow," I told Piero.
"I'll be here. Not like I can leave."
Paola wheeled me back to my room. Getting from chair to bed was worse than before. I collapsed onto the mattress, breathing hard. Sweating.
"You pushed too hard," Paola scolded gently.
"Worth it. Needed to see him."
She adjusted my pillows. Fixed my IV.
"Rest now. Actually rest."
"Stay with me?"
"Always."
She climbed carefully into the hospital bed beside me, her head on my shoulder. My arm around her. Both of us battered but alive.
We were almost asleep when my phone buzzed. Paola reached for it.
She read it, then went very still.
"What?" I asked. Instantly alert.
She showed me the screen.
Congratulations on surviving Pier 76. But you should know—Viktor wasn't working alone. Someone in your family helped him. Sleep tight.
My entire body went rigid.
"Someone in my family?"
