The room holds its breath.
"I vote for reinstatement," he says finally. "Temporarily. You find the mole, you end the Bratva threat, then you return to Chicago."
Murmurs of shock ripple through the room.
"And if I fail?" I ask, not trusting this sudden reversal.
Alessandro's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Then you'll wish we'd handed you to the Russians."
I understand perfectly. Success or death. No middle ground. But it’s always like that in the Mafia.
"Welcome back to the family, Brother," Alessandro says, extending his hand across the table. "Temporarily."
I take his hand, squeezing harder than necessary. "I'll find who betrayed us. And when I do, they'll pay for what happened to Father. For what happened to my son."
“I hope you do.” But I can see in his eyes that even if I fail, he can make me the perfect scapegoat. The sacrificial Dante when someone needs to pay.
I'm fine with that.
Because unlike Alessandro, I don't intend to fail.
Someone will pay for Don Lorenzo's murder.
For threatening my son.
Even if that person is in this room.
18
KATERINA
I wear a path in the carpet, glancing out the window every few seconds for a glimpse of Luca returning from the main house.
My stomach twists with each passing minute.
My thoughts race through worst-case scenarios.
What if the Dantes decide to hand Luca over to the Bratva?
What if Alessandro forces him back into exile?
Would he take us with him?
Do I even want that? And would the Dantes and Morozovas allow it?
God, what a mess.
All because he saved our son.
Enzo sits quietly playing with his cars spread across the coffee table.
Considering all he’s been through, he’s doing well.
I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing by trying to distract him.
But he's had enough trauma for a lifetime.
Why force him to relive it?
