Not that Giuseppe valued Stefan. But perception mattered more than reality in our world.
I opened the door to Stefan's room.
He was standing by the window, looking up at the narrow slice of sky. He turned when I entered, and his expression shifted from neutral to wary when he saw my face.
"What happened?" he asked.
I considered lying. Considered keeping this from him to protect him or maintain operational security or any of a dozen strategic reasons why sharing intelligence was a bad idea.
Instead, I chose truth.
"Your father's been meeting with the FBI," I said. "He's trying to flip. Offering information about our operations in exchange for immunity."
Stefan went pale. "No. He wouldn't—my father would never betray the family like that."
"He's not betraying the Romano family. He's betraying us. The Vitales. Trying to take down his rivals while protecting himself." I pulled out my phone and showed him one of the photos Sandro had shared. Giuseppe entering a federal building. Clear as day.
Stefan stared at the image. "When was this taken?"
"Three days ago. There are others. Multiple meetings over the past two weeks."
"That's—" Stefan's voice cracked. "That's impossible. He wouldn't. The other families would never forgive that. Going to the feds is—it's the worst thing you can do. Worse than stealing. Worse than killing. You don't cooperate with federal investigations. Ever."
"Your father's desperate. The RICO case against us is strong. If we go down, the Romano family loses significant territory and influence. Giuseppe's trying to survive by helping bury us."
Stefan shook his head. Denial written all over his face. "You're lying. This is some kind of trick to—to turn me against him. To make me give you information."
"I'm not lying." I moved closer. "Stefan, I know this is hard to hear, but—"
"Stop." He backed away. "Just stop. My father has done a lot of terrible things. He's cold and manipulative and he treats his sons like property. But he wouldn't do this. He wouldn't betray the code. It's the one thing—the one fucking thing—that matters in this world."
I wanted to comfort him. Wanted to pull him close and promise everything would be okay. But I couldn't lie about this.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "But it's true."
Stefan's legs gave out. He sank onto the bed, staring at nothing. His hands were shaking.
"If this is true," he said slowly, "my father just signed his own death warrant. The other families won't let him flip. They'll kill him. Make an example. Show everyone what happens to rats."
"That's Giuseppe's problem."
"It's my problem too." Stefan looked up at me. "Because I'm his son. If this goes public, if the families find out what he's doing, I'm a target. They'll come after me to get to him. Or to punish him. Or just to send a message that even your children aren't safe if you betray the code."
The fear in his voice cut through me.
I crossed to him and pulled him close. He resisted for a second, then collapsed against me. His hands fisted in my shirt.
"Nobody's touching you," I said. "I won't let them."
"You can't protect me from everyone."
"I'll try anyway." I tilted his face up to meet my eyes. "I know this changes things. I know you probably hate me for telling you. But I needed you to know. Needed you to understand why I can't let you go. It's not just about wanting you anymore. It's about keeping you safe from what your father's set in motion."
"So I'm really a prisoner now." His voice was bitter. "Not just because you're obsessed with me. Because letting me go would get me killed."
"Yes."
At least I was being honest.
