"Why?"
"Because for the first time in my life, I'm making choices that are mine. Not my father's. Not Dante's. Mine." I paused. "Because you treated me like I was capable of real damage. And I wanted to prove you right."
Something shifted in Elio's expression. Softened.
"You did. Sandro was impressed. So was I."
"Really?"
"Really. That strategy—destroying Winston's reputation instead of killing him—it's smart. Sophisticated. The kind of thinking we need." He hesitated. Then: "You're not just useful, Julian. You're valuable. There's a difference."
My chest tightened. "What's the difference?"
"Useful is temporary. Valuable is permanent." His eyes held mine. "You're permanent now. Part of this. Part of us. Whether that's what you wanted or not."
"It is. What I wanted." The admission came out quiet. Honest. "I know it's insane. I've been here two weeks. I barely know any of you. But this feels more like home than my family ever did."
"That's because we see you. Your family only saw what they wanted you to be."
"You see me," I corrected softly. "The others are still deciding if I'm trustworthy. But you—you've seen me from the beginning. Even when you were trying not to."
Elio's breath caught. Almost imperceptible. But I noticed.
I noticed everything about him.
"Julian—"
"I know. We can't. Too young, too vulnerable, power dynamics, all the very good reasons this is a terrible idea." I stood. Put distance between us before I could do something stupid. "But I wanted you to know anyway. That I see you too. That whatever's happening here—it matters. To me."
I left before he could respond. Before I could watch him shut down again. Before I could see the control slam back into place.
Back in my room, I sat on the bed and stared at the wall.
I'd betrayed my father. Given the Vitales everything they needed to destroy him. Made myself a permanent enemy of my family.
And I'd confessed—again—to having feelings for someone completely inappropriate.
Two weeks ago I'd been a sheltered mafia prince planning an escape.
Now I was a traitor to my family and falling for my protector.
I should be terrified.
Instead I felt alive. Real. Like I was finally living my own life instead of performing a role someone else had written.
CHAPTER 6: ELIO
I WAS IMPRESSEDand concerned in equal measure.
Julian had just given us a strategy sophisticated enough to neutralize his father without starting a war. He'd stood in front of four dangerous men and delivered analysis that showed deep understanding of power dynamics, family politics, and strategic manipulation.
The kid was clever enough to outmaneuver his own father. That made him valuable.
It also made him dangerous if he ever decided to turn that cleverness against us.
I should've been more cautious. Should've maintained professional distance and treated Julian like any other potential security threat. I knew better than to trust people. The only people I trusted were Sandro, Matteo, and Luca. Everyone else was suspect until proven otherwise.
Except apparently Julian.
