Within hours, the Castellano family issued a statement condemning Winston Bianchi as a traitor. They'd been one of the families whose operations he'd sold out to the FBI. Their anger was personal. Visceral.
The Romano family—Stefan's old family—went further. Giuseppe Romano publicly declared that any association with the Bianchis was severed. Anyone doing business with Winston would be considered an enemy. Ironic, considering we knew they had considerable fed ties themselves.
The DeLuca family in Boston sent representatives to New York demanding answers. Wanting to know what information Winston had provided about their operations.
Winston's protection evaporated overnight. Associates who'd been loyal for decades distanced themselves. Business partners refused his calls. Protection details disappeared.
By the third day, Winston fled to FBI custody for survival. It was that or face execution by one of the families he'd betrayed.
His empire crumbled within a week.
The Bianchi operations in Chicago fell apart as soldiers defected or were absorbed by rival families. Assets were seized. Territory was claimed. Everything Winston had built over thirty years dissolved like it had never existed.
Agent Rebecca Watson fared no better. The FBI opened an internal investigation within hours of the article's publication. She was suspended immediately. Her entire case history was reviewed. Every conviction she'd secured was questioned.
The investigation into the Vitales—the one that had nearly destroyed us during the RICO trial—fell apart completely. Without Watson and Winston's cooperation, the federal case had no foundation. Agents were reassigned. Evidence was reexamined. The entire operation shut down.
Sandro called a meeting to discuss the fallout.
"Winston's finished," he said, satisfaction clear in his voice. "He's in federal protective custody but he'll never leave it. The moment he steps outside, one of the families will kill him. His empire's gone. His reputation's destroyed. He's alive but powerless. Exactly what Julian predicted."
"And Watson?" I asked.
"Career over. She'll be lucky if she avoids prosecution. At minimum, she's fired and blacklisted. At worst, she faces charges for obstruction and conspiracy." Sandro looked at me. "The investigation into us is officially closed. The federal agentswho'd been watching Inferno have been reassigned. We're clear."
Relief flooded through me. We'd survived. Not just survived—we'd won.
"What about Julian?" Matteo asked. "Has Winston tried to contact him?"
"No. He's smart enough to know that would be admitting Julian was involved. But I'm sure he's figured it out." Sandro's expression turned serious. "Julian's permanently burned his bridges with his family. There's no going back from this. He needs to understand that."
"He does," I said. "We've discussed it. He's committed to staying here. To being part of this world."
"Good. Because he's proven himself valuable. Smart. Strategic. We could use someone with his skills long-term." Sandro paused. "And Elio? He's clearly important to you. I just want to make sure you've thought through the implications."
"I have."
"And?"
"And he's mine. I protect what's mine."
Sandro smiled slightly. "Good. Just wanted to hear you say it. Welcome to the club of men who fell for someone completely inappropriate and decided they didn't care about the complications."
Matteo laughed. "We should get jackets made."
***
That night I took Julian back to my apartment. He'd been staying there every night since the emergency meeting. Sleeping in my bed. Waking up beside me. Becoming part of my space in ways that should've felt invasive but instead felt right.
We'd been intimate every night. Learning each other's bodies. Building trust and pleasure in equal measure. But wehadn't gone all the way yet. I was waiting. Making sure Julian was ready. Making sure this was what he really wanted.
Tonight felt different. The danger had passed. Winston was neutralized. The immediate threats were handled. We had space to breathe. To just be together without crisis looming.
Julian seemed to sense it too. When we got to the apartment, he pulled me close and kissed me thoroughly.
"I watched my father's empire fall apart today," he said against my lips. "Watched everything he built crumble because I chose to fight back. I should feel guilty. But all I feel is free."
"You are free. He can't touch you anymore."
