Elio taps the screen and turns it towards us.
The grainy video shows a container at the docks. Inside, Magnus is chained at the wrists and ankles, slumped against the rusting metal wall like a sack of rubbish. His face is swollen, lip split, suit jacket long gone, shirt filthy. He blinks blearily at the camera.
My jaw tightens. My fingers itch to reach through the screen and snap his miserable neck.
Dom moves closer, peering over my shoulder. “It’s another setup. We can’t trust this fucker.”
“I was working with Riccardo. He’ll confirm everything,” Elio says, voice smooth, almost too smooth. “Your cousin’s keeping him nice and cosy for us.”
“Us?” My brow furrows, wondering what he’s up to? It sounds like he’s finally cooperating, but there’s a part of me that’s still wary, knowing there’s a snake in the grass. “Sincewhen did you work with a Bianchi?” My tone’s flat as the steel in my chest. “Why would you do this?”
Elio's jaw tightens. “You weren’t the only one losing sleep while she was in the hospital.” He hesitates, then runs a hand over his face. “I can’t undo the past, but I can make damn sure my nephew doesn’t grow up in fear of that bastard.” His gaze shifts to Rose, and for a fleeting second, there’s no cunning there, just raw human emotion. “You think I slept easy knowing you nearly died because of the choices I made?”
Dom replays the video and snorts. “Nice and cosy. Looks like shit.”
Elio shrugs, unapologetic. "Prison would've been kinder."
I don’t take my eyes off the video. Magnus shifts, tugging weakly at the chains, muttering something inaudible. “Why now, Elio?” I say low, my voice like gravel. “Why help us now, after you set me up?”
His jaw ticks. “Maybe I’m trying to make things right.”
Dom scoffs, folding his arms tighter. “Yeah? Forgive me if I don’t buy your redemption story.”
Elio’s eyes flash. “I don’t need your forgiveness, Dom. I don’t even expect hers.” He flicks a glance at Rose. “But I owe her a fresh start. We can finish this together.” Elio's eyes flick back to me. “You think I don’t hate myself for what I did?” His voice is tight. “For being my uncle’s puppet after you murdered my…?” He shakes his head. “The man I thought was my father.” His voice cracks as he looks at Rose. “For trusting Magnus to take care of my sister?” He runs a hand over his face. “If I’d have known what he was doing to you—” He shakes his head, eyes darkening. “I’d have killed him myself all those years ago.”
I narrow my eyes, studying him. His suit might be sharp, his words even sharper, but trust? Trust is blunt and broken between us. “It was only six weeks ago you set me up withthis man. I don’t trust you not to set me up again,” I say flatly. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t take you at your word.” I shift my weight. A twinge in my side is a sharp reminder I’m not as indestructible as I used to be.
Elio notices. His eyes flick to the way my hand presses instinctively to my abdomen over the part of me that now keeps Rose alive.
"If I wanted you dead, Bianchi," Elio says, quieter this time, "I’d have killed you already." His gaze hardens with something like respect or guilt. “But you’re here. Still standing. Still protecting her.” He flicks his head to Rose. “And for that, you have my respect. Besides, Mamma would never forgive me if I killed you.” He lets out a small chuckle. “Can you imagine the earache I’d get?”
Rose places a hand on her brother’s arm, as if showing him she trusts him. “Thank you, Elio.”
His hand covers hers. “I would have finished him myself. But I know you wanted to look him in the eye.” He pulls a gun from the holster on his back and hands it to her.
Her fingers curl around the grip, trembling for half a heartbeat before she tightens them, steady as steel.
My spine bristles. I step closer to her as she holds the gun, as if weighing it in her hand.
“Maybe now is a good time to give you those shooting lessons?” Elio says.
My eyes narrow. “She doesn’t need to know how to handle a weapon. I’ll take care of Magnus.” There’s no way in hell Rose is putting herself at risk.
Dom pats me on the shoulder. “With all due respect, brother, it wasn’t so long ago you needed help taking a piss. If anyone’s going to take care of the bastard, it’s me.”
Rose’s breath trembles faintly, just once, but she steadies the gun, squaring her shoulders like she’s ready to carry the weight of this whole family if she has to. I see the fire behindher eyes, the steel beneath the softness. She’s stronger than any of us.
“If anyone is going to finish him, it’s me. I want to see him.” Her eyes close as she takes in a deep breath. “I need to see him.” When she opens her eyes, they land on me. “You promised me, Dan.”
The thought of her facing Magnus, weak as she still is, twists something savage in my chest. I already gave a piece of my liver to save her. Losing her again? I wouldn’t survive it.
My chest caves. I remember I would have promised her anything when she was lying in that hospital bed. But now I’m not sure I can risk her in harm’s way. “It’s too much of a risk. You’re not fully recovered.”
Rose caresses my brow as if she can iron out the wrinkles there. “Neither are you.”
“I don’t like this, Rose. I won’t put you at risk.”
Dom shifts beside me, voice rough. “You’re barely six weeks post-surgery, Rose. This is not your fight.”
