"Sit down," Romeo says, closing the door behind us.
I don't sit. I can't. There's too much energy coursing through me, too much violence still looking for an outlet.
"What the hell was that?" Romeo demands.
"He was disrespecting your sister."
"So you broke his nose?" Romeo moves to stand in front of me, forcing me to look at him instead of out the window. "You nearly crushed his windpipe, Luca."
“You would’ve done the same. They shouldn’t have?—”
"No, they shouldn't have. And I’ll fucking deal with it, because I’m her brother, and it’s my job to deal with shit like that. But that's not the point." Romeo's eyes are hard. "The point is that you're out of control. This isn't the first incident. You've been on edge for weeks, picking fights, drinking more, disappearing in the middle of meetings. What the fuck is going on with you?"
I could tell him. The words are right there, burning in my throat:I'm in love with Giulia. I'm losing my mind watching her with those men. I'm one bad day away from doing something that will get me killed or exiled or worse.
But I can't. Because Romeo is my best friend, my brother in everything but blood, and telling him would destroy everything between us.
"I'm handling it," I say instead.
"You're not handling shit." Romeo steps closer, his voice dropping. "Talk to me. Please. Whatever this is, we can figure it out. But you have to tell me what's going on."
The concern in his voice almost breaks me. Romeo has been there for me through everything. He's the closest thing to family I have left. And I'm lying to him.
"It's nothing," I force out. "Just stress. The Sicily deal, the shipments, everything with?—"
"Don't." Romeo cuts me off. "Don't insult me by lying. I know you, Luca. I know when something's wrong. And this?" He gestures at me. "This is more than stress. This is something else."
I turn away, unable to meet his eyes.
"Is it about the family?" Romeo asks. "About your position here? Because if someone's threatening you?—"
"No one's threatening me."
"Then what?" His frustration is palpable now. "Because I can't help you if you won't talk to me."
"There's nothing to help with. I'm fine."
Romeo pauses, and when he speaks again, his voice is quieter. "You need to get whatever this is under control. Before it becomes a real problem. I'm not just saying this as your friend. I'm saying it as your boss. You're an enforcer, Luca. You're supposed to be controlled, precise, reliable. Right now, you're none of those things. You're a liability."
That word is enough to clear some of the haze in my brain. A liability. That's what I've become. It’s not what I want to be—not what I’ve ever wanted to be, especially to Romeo.
"I need you to get your shit together," Romeo continues. "I don't care what you have to do. Take some time off. Get laid. Go to therapy. I don't give a fuck. But you need to handle this before it threatens your position in this family. Before it threatens our friendship. Do you understand?"
I nod, not trusting my voice.
"I mean it, Luca. You're my best friend. My brother. But if you become a danger to this family, to Giulia, to anyone—I'll have to make a choice. And you won't like that choice."
The threat is clear, and it's not empty. Romeo would do it. He'd choose the family over me, just like he should. Just like I'd do in his position.
"I understand," I manage.
"Good." Romeo's expression softens slightly. "Whatever's going on with you, I hope you figure it out. Because I don't want to lose you."
He leaves, and I'm alone in his office, staring out at the garden where Giulia is still sitting. I just lied to my best friend.Broke a man's nose. Got threatened with exile or worse. And all I can think about is how beautiful she looks in the afternoon light.
I leave the Ciresa house through a side entrance, avoiding everyone. I should go home and clean up, calm down, and figure out how to get myself under control like Romeo ordered.
Instead, I find myself taking the long way through the garden. I tell myself I'm just checking the perimeter, making sure everything's secure. But I know the truth. I'm looking for her.
