Elio took the bag. "Let's go."
We walked out of the bank and back to the car without incident. But I felt exposed. Vulnerable. Like every person on the street could see what I'd just done. What I was carrying.
In the car, Elio handed me the bag.
"Hold onto this until we're back at Inferno. Don't let it out of your sight."
"You don't trust me?"
"I trust you. I don't trust anyone else." He started driving. "If someone tries to intercept us, if anything goes wrong, you protect that bag. Understand?"
"Yes."
We drove in silence. I clutched the bag against my chest and tried not to think about what would happen if my father found out. What he'd do to me. What he'd do to the Vitales for harboring me.
Halfway back to the club, Elio said: "You did the right thing."
"How do you know?"
"Because you're protecting yourself and people who've shown you kindness. That's always the right thing." He paused. "Your father will see it as betrayal. But from where I'm sitting, you're just surviving. And there's no shame in that."
Something tight in my chest loosened slightly.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
"For what?"
"For understanding. For not making me feel guilty about this."
"Julian." Elio's voice was soft. "You have nothing to feel guilty about. You're a victim who's fighting back. That takes courage. Not everyone has it."
I looked at him. Saw him in profile, focused on the road, jaw set with determination.
God, I was in so much trouble.
Not from my father. Not from the FBI. Not from any external threat.
From this. From the way Elio made me feel seen. Protected. Valued.
From the way I was falling for someone completely wrong for me in every possible way.
We got back to Inferno without incident. Elio escorted me directly to Sandro's office.
Sandro was waiting. So was Luca. They both stood when we entered.
"You have the documents?" Sandro asked.
I handed over the bag. Watched him open it and start reviewing the contents.
Sandro looked at Luca. They had a silent conversation in the way people who'd worked together for years could.
Then Sandro turned to me.
"Do you understand what this means?"
"It means my father's trying to destroy everyone, including the people who're protecting me now."
"It means you just made yourself a target for multiple families. When this gets out—and it will get out—everyone's going to want to know who gave us this information. Your name will be at the top of that list."
