I shifted carefully, trying not to jostle his injuries. Pain flickered across his face anyway. "How many people are we talking about? Extended family?"
Cesare had been making mental lists since the text arrived—I could practically hear his mind working in the darkness. "Inner circle: Piero, Giulio, Rocco, Matteo. Matteo's already confirmed as Viktor's source."
"But the text saidfamily. Matteo's not family."
"No. He's not." Cesare shifted, his jaw tight. "Extended family: three cousins—Marco, Luca, and Sofia Falco. My uncle Tommaso. Various nephews and nieces in the organization."
"Which ones have access to your schedule? Your plans?"
"All of them, to varying degrees. That's the problem."
My mind raced through possibilities. Family dinners I'd attended in the past month, faces I'd met. People who smiled and welcomed me whilst potentially planning betrayal.
Marco, with his easy laugh and expensive watch.
Luca, quiet and observant in the corner.
Sofia, efficient and warm, always remembering details.
Had it been one of them endangering us this whole time?
"We'll figure it out," I said, though I wasn't sure I believed it.
"We have to. Before Monday."
Dawn broke grey and cold over Manhattan. Neither of us had slept.
Dr Reeves arrived for morning rounds, checked Cesare's vitals, changed bandages with efficient precision. She took one look at us and frowned.
"You look exhausted. Both of you. Did something happen?"
"Just processing everything," I deflected.
After the doctor left, Giulio appeared with coffee and updates. He took one look at us and stopped in the doorway.
"You didn't sleep. What happened?"
Cesare and I exchanged glances. How much to tell? Giulio was inner circle—trusted for years. But the text said someone in the family helped Viktor. Could we risk it?
Cesare made a decision. "Another threat from Viktor's people. Nothing we can't handle."
Giulio studied us both, clearly not buying it. "Boss, if something's wrong—"
"It's handled." Cesare's tone made it clear the subject was closed. "What's the status on Viktor's bail hearing?"
Giulio hesitated, clearly wanting to push. But he recognized an order when he heard one. "Monday at ten a.m. Agent Muñoz confirmed. She'll need you both to testify before the grand jury beforehand."
After Giulio left, I said quietly, "You didn't tell him."
"Couldn't risk it. Not until we know who the spy is."
"But Giulio's been with you for years—"
"So had Matteo. And look how that turned out." His jaw clenched. "I can't trust anyone right now. Except you and Piero."
The paranoia was settling in. Necessary, maybe. But corrosive.
"So what do we do?"
