Giana breathed out and typed:
`SUBJECT: Formal Declaration: Union of Houses Colleoni & Sorrentino
From the Office of Rodrigo Colleoni, Capo dei Capi, House Colleoni:
Let it be known to all interested parties within the recognized spheres, that I, Rodrigo Colleoni, head of House Colleoni, commander of the Condottieri Legion, hereby announce my formal engagement and impending marriage to Giana Claudia Sorrentino, sole heiress and head of House Sorrentino.
This union consolidates the legacy and holdings of both ancient lineages. Any and all prior claims, perceived obligations, or speculative interests regarding the Sorrentino legacy or its heiress are hereby rendered null and void.
The bonds forged by this union extend the absolute protection and formidable reach of House Colleoni over House Sorrentino and its interests. Any action perceived as a challenge to this union or a threat to the person of Giana Claudia Sorrentino-Colleoni will be met with immediate and overwhelming retaliation.
Details regarding the public celebration of this union will be disseminated in due course.
House Colleoni stands vigilant against any who would object to this union.
She paused, rereading the cold, formal text. It was a gauntlet thrown.
Perfect. She attached a single file of the high-resolution photograph Leo had ready. Her mouth went dry as she looked at it. Athena had caught the precise moment she had laughed. Rodrigo was staring at her, smiling as if all his dreams had come true.
"It really is a great photo," Dante commented over her shoulder. "I didn't think Rodrigo knew how to smile like that."
"He does. He is just careful who he shows it to," Leo said defensively. "Gabriella almost managed to stamp it out, but there are some things that Rodrigo would fight her on until the bitter end."
"Proof of life, proof of claim," Giana interuped them, uploading the image. She didn't want to think about the way Rodrigo had looked at her or how it made her feel.
Giana encrypted the post with a Colleoni digital sigil Leo provided, a complex, shifting pattern of code that authenticated the source beyond doubt.
Her finger hovered over the 'POST' button, and unease wormed through her resolve. This was it. Throwing herself back into the viper pit and making herself a target.
Her spine straightened. She wasalreadya target. If she was going to be bait, she was going to be bait with teeth.
She slammed her finger down, and the post vanished from the screen, uploaded into the digital ether of the dark web. Within minutes, it would be dissected, analyzed, and spread like wildfire through the hidden channels of the underworld. The announcement was live.
"Fuse lit," she announced, pushing back from the terminal. The adrenaline surge left her feeling shaky and strangely hollow.
Leo whistled softly as he read it. "Damn, Giana. That was ice cold. 'Overwhelming retaliation'? Rodrigo's going to love that."
"He better," Giana muttered, standing up carefully. The dizziness was back. "It seems like his brand of romance."
Dante offered a steadying arm as she wobbled. She hesitated then accepted it, leaning slightly against him as they walked back toward the conference room.
Giana was overwhelmed by a sudden sense of uncanniness. Dante Hill was offering her support. She was working with Leo, who had pulled the trigger on her parents, and was teasing Rodrigo. The world kept twisting and turning her upside down until she no longer knew which way was up and what was true anymore.
Back in the conference room, Rodrigo paced with restless energy. Kon and Athena were huddled over a detailed schematic of the villa grounds, Athena pointing enthusiastically at potential choke points and explosive placements. Frederica was cleaning a sleek, matte-black pistol, ignoring Dario's pointed glares from across the table.
"It's done," Giana announced, her voice cutting through the low murmur.
Rodrigo stopped pacing instantly, his eyes locking onto her. "Already?"
"Yes. Posted, encrypted, authenticated, and burning up the forums as we speak." She sank back into the chair she had claimed earlier, exhaustion pulling at her. "Expect reactions and fast."
"Good," Rodrigo stated, though his jaw remained tight. "Now all we can do is wait."
10
The waiting was the worst. Giana tried to focus on the schematics Leo pulled up, as well as other detailed maps of the Falcone compound in Sicily, financial flowcharts, and known associates of Vincenzo, but she was too tired to keep her thoughts straight.
Minutes bled into hours, and Giana gave up fighting her exhaustion and curled up on the couch in the far corner of the room.
