"I think," he says, rising slowly from his chair, "that you left this family. I think you built your own empire in Chicago. And I think you see an opportunity to get back at the Dante family by trying to take something that isn’t yours."
The accusation slices deep. They act like I betrayed them, when they’re the ones who sacrificed me, wouldn’t stand up for me.
I cross the room in three strides, slamming my palms on his desk. "I didn't ask to leave, just like I didn’t ask to come back. Someone called me home, and now I see why."
"Not me," Alessandro counters. "And not to lead a coup against what's left of our organization."
"I don't want your throne," I spit. "I want to find who killed our father and who's bleeding our family dry."
"Do you?" He circles the desk, bringing us face to face. "Or do you want to prove I'm not fit to lead? Show everyone you should be the heir?"
My control cracks. "I built something from nothing in Chicago because I had to. Because this family—you—cast me out without a backward glance. Am I better at it? From what I see, yes. But I don’t want it and I’m sick of your pretending that my leaving was my choice.”
"You broke our code," Alessandro hisses.
“So did you and Dad. Family first, right? Except when it came to me.” I shake my head. “You and Dad are both pussies, bowing to the Morozova Bratva.”
“Maybe I should bring in Katerina and torture her.”
My fists ball, ready to beat the living shit out of my brother. “You touch her, and I will take what’s yours. What is this really about? Are you really that pathetically insecure that you wanted me gone? Are you disappointed that I’ve done better you than you?—”
“Watch yourself, Luca. I’m still the head of this family.”
“Yeah, except I’m not in your family anymore, remember? I’m Don Luca Dante from Chicago. I deserve respect.” I let out a derisive laugh. “You’re jealous, aren’t you? You think my life has been all rainbows and sunshine. Well, it hasn’t been. You andFather took my life from me. I lost everything, including the chance to know my own son!"
Alessandro's expression shifts, surprise briefly overtaking the suspicion.
"I have a son," I continue, quieter now. "With Katerina. A boy I've never met because I was exiled without a chance to know she was pregnant.” I look him in the eyes. “Did you know? When you supported Father sending me away, did you know she was pregnant?”
“No.”
“Did father?”
He shrugs. “I wouldn’t know.” But there’s something in his eyes like a lightbulb going off. As if my father’s actions to keep Katerina close now make sense.
“What the fuck do you know, Alessandro?”
His face contorts into fury. “I know you won’t take what’s mine.”
“I don’t want it. What I do want is what you took from me. My family.”
Alessandro studies me, his jaw working. For a moment, I see uncertainty in his eyes.
"Prove it," he finally says. "Prove your loyalty, and perhaps you can earn back what you lost."
"And how exactly am I supposed to prove my loyalty?” I look at him wondering if he’s just fucking with me. "You've already decided I'm guilty."
Alessandro's expression remains impassive. "There’s a mole. A leak in the family. Find whoever's feeding information to the Morozovas and bring them to me."
"And if I do?"
"Then perhaps I'll believe you didn't come back to destroy what's left of our family."
I straighten, measuring my brother. We’re less than a foot apart, but the distance between us feels wider than the seven years I've been gone.
"Fine," I say finally. "I'll find your rat. But I want something in return."
Alessandro raises an eyebrow. "You're hardly in a position to negotiate."
