"We don't tell anyone the real plan. We feed false information even to people we think we trust. We operate on a need-to-know basis only."
The paranoia was complete now. We couldn't trust anyone. Not fully. Not when someone was watching our every move and reporting it back.
"’Not who we think it is," I read aloud. "What does that mean?"
Cesare's face was grim. "It means we're missing something. Something obvious."
"Or it's a bluff. Trying to make us second-guess ourselves."
"Maybe. But Viktor's been three steps ahead this entire time. I can't afford to assume he's bluffing."
I thought about the three cousins. The three traps. The one response.
"What if it's not about which cousin?" I said slowly. "What if it's about how the information is getting to Viktor? What if the spy isn't making direct contact—they're using an intermediary?"
"Someone passing information through a cutout. That would explain why we can't find direct evidence."
"And it would mean the cousin might not even know they're being used. Viktor could be monitoring their communications without their knowledge."
The possibility opened up new, darker avenues. If the spy didn't know they were a spy—
Before we could explore this further, the hospital room door opened.
Not a nurse. Not Giulio.
Sofia Monti stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her face.
"I need to tell you something," she said, voice breaking. "About Viktor. About what I've done."
CHAPTER 20
Cesare
My entire body tensed despite the pain radiating from my chest. "Close the door."
Sofia did, leaning against it like her legs might give out.
"Start talking," I said, voice flat. "Now."
"I know about the traps," she said immediately. "The fake information you fed us. Marco, Luca, and me. I know you're trying to findil falco."
My blood ran cold. "How—"
"I coordinate family events. Security. Schedules." Her words came fast, desperate. "When you suddenly asked me to arrange 'security concerns' and told me about evidence being moved to a specific location—information you've never shared so freely before—I knew. You were testing me. And when I checkedwith Giulio's team about the transport details, they were vague. Evasive. That's when I realized you were setting traps for all three of us."
She took a shaking breath. "I'm good at my job, Cesare. I notice patterns. And you don't just suddenly trust me with sensitive information unless you're watching to see what I do with it."
"So you came here to confess before we caught you."
"Yes; I’mil falco.And I can't do this anymore." Her voice broke. "Viktor has my daughter. He's had her for six months. Said if I didn't help him, I'd never see her again."
Paola's hand found mine. "Your daughter? But the custody agreement—"
"My ex-husband doesn't have her. Viktor took her from him three months ago. He staged it to look like she ran away. She's sixteen, troubled—everyone believed it." Sofia's face crumpled. "I tried everything to find her. Hired private investigators. Searched myself. Nothing."
My mind raced. "What did you give him?"
"Schedules. Family movements. I told him about the anniversary celebration venue. About Piero's routine." Her voice broke completely. "I'm the reason he was able to take Piero. I gave Viktor the opening."
