“Alessio. February… Oh fuck. This whole time, he’s been playing with me.Watchingme. This is…No.”
Zeno stands. “The number you’ve been texting goes to a burner phone. That’s when I figured something was offabout your boyfriend. The Vitales are undermining the process because they know I’ll fight it. Lev got a picture of him last night to confirm who you’ve been dating is Alessio Vitale, Alessandro’s eldest son. Without the proof, I’d be pointing fingers. Now, the Commission will take my side.”
Serafina’s eyes slide from her brother to me. “That’s why he put himself in my life. Why he never let me near his family. Why he was so secretive. Why he didn’t return this semester; he knew I had someone around. Why he drugged me. Why he said what he did.”
“What did he say?” Vanessa demands, drifting closer and speaking for the first time.
“Something about claiming my virginity to ensure a deal went through.”
Zeno curses, rubbing a hand through his hair. “Insurance. They’re relying on me following traditions. That a woman needs to be a virgin before marriage.”
Beside me, Vanessa bristles. It’s a tradition the Bratva has long let go of. In fact, I know many who’d would prefer their bride not be a virgin. I couldn’t give two fucks, mainly because the idea of marriage and being around someone with so much permanence makes me want to crawl out of my skin.
“Would it have?” Serafina stare at Zeno, crossing her arms.
“Of course not,” he practically sneers.
“This is over, either way. With the proof, you’ll end the engagement?”
Zeno glances at Vanessa with a silent plea for help. “Not quite,” he replies slowly. “This isn’t going to end well. Right now, there’s no guarantee the Commission will respect the Vitales breaking procedure. Theyshould, but this won’t be the final time we hear from them. And really, I don’t want it to be.Iwant retribution for Padre, for your attack last night. This is only the beginning of a bigger war. Breaking the engagement is simplyone battle. Until it’s over, you need to remain hidden, because I can’t worry about them retaliating.”
If heartbreak has ever been more obvious on a person’s face, then Serafina writes the dictionary definition. “You’re telling me to drop out of school?”
“Not drop out. A break. For a semester or two…maybe three.”
“Isn’t that whyhe’shere?” She juts her hand my way.
Staying for another three or more semesters, away from home, in this place that makes everything in my head burn, isn’t what I signed up for. It’s not what Zeno sold this as. But for her, I’ll stay and ensure nothing like last night happens again.
“I know not to trust Alessio,” she continues, imploring. “I’ll stick closer to Lev. Please, Z, don’t do this.”
“It’s not you I don’t trust. And while Lev is great, he’s one man. You’re too open here. This may be my territory, but it’s easy for the Vitales to find you. Anyone here can be bought.” His gaze drills through the wall at our neighbours. “Anyof these kids will take cash in exchange for getting close to you. No one can be trusted.”
Her shoulders crumple, and war breaks out on her face. While I might not be able to read her mind, it feels like I can. She’s struggling between doing right by her family and continuing to follow her dreams.
“You urged me away from the mob,” she argues, but with a fraction of the venom. “A bodyguard was supposed prevent this. Now, my future is on pausefor the organization.It’s ironic.”
“I know,” Zeno huffs, tone also softening. “But your safety is everything.”
Vanessa’s shoes clack against the cheap flooring, shattering the tenseness between the siblings as she steps between them, a hand resting on Zeno’s chest. They share a moment of silent communication that lowers his arms to his side.
“Could you two leave us alone please?”
“Vanessa—”
“Leave,” she repeats in the same authoritative tone she uses with the soldiers. “Please. Five minutes alone. That’s all we need.”
The two mob leaders stare one another down until he loses and, with a jerk of his chin, heads out of the dorm.
After a final glance at Serafina, I follow.
22
SERAFINA
Vanessa stands between me and where Zeno last was, as though trying to pick a side.
Where does Lev fall?
