Alessandro's eyes lock with mine across the table.
For the first time since I've been home, I see something other than contempt. I see calculation.
“We need him,” Valentina continues to argue on my behalf. “It’s why I sent for him.”
The room goes still as every head turns toward her.
“You sent the letter?” I ask.
"You?" Alessandro's voice drips with disbelief. "Why would you do that without consulting me?"
Valentina doesn't flinch under his glare. "Because you wouldn't have allowed it. And like I said, we need him."
"We don't need anyone who turned their back on this family," Alessandro hisses.
"I didn't turn my back," I interject with a growl. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You know the truth."
"Semantics," Alessandro dismisses with a wave of his hand.
"Not to me." My voice is low, dangerous. "Not to my son, who grew up without a father because of it."
Valentina steps between us, physically breaking our standoff. "Not this again.” She rolls her eyes at us. “What matters is now. Father is dead. The Bratva is at our door. We need every Dante standing together."
A murmur ripples through the room. Even Uncle Salvatore nods reluctantly.
"I call for a vote," Valentina announces. "On whether to reinstate Luca in the family and let him lead our response to the Bratva."
Alessandro's face darkens. "You don't have the authority?—"
"We've always been a family that votes," she counters. "Or has that changed under your leadership?"
The challenge hangs in the air between them, and I have to admit, little sis has bigger balls than my brothers do.
Uncle Matty rises first. "Against. The boy broke our code once. He'll do it again."
Salvatore looks torn but ultimately votes against me.
Then Adriano stands. "For," he says simply. "Family is family."
I’m beyond shocked, but I catch his eye, giving him a silent thank you.
Truth is, I’ve already decided I’m going against the Bratva whether the family wants me to or not.
But it will go better if they’re for it.
“For,” Valentina says, and I’m wondering when she got a vote. My father was always a stickler for keeping women out.
Alessandro was smart to see how her sharp mind could be a value to the family.
It’s now up to Alessandro, and I’m not feeling optimistic.
All eyes are on him.
"Seven years ago, you broke our code. Father had no choice but to exile you."
I clench my jaw, waiting for the blade to fall.
"But Valentina is right. We face unprecedented threats." Alessandro's eyes bore into mine. "Our father is dead. Our shipments compromised. We have a traitor in our midst."
