The room falls silent as we enter. Alessandro's men have Marco and Enrico on their knees. My mother is there too, her head down, hands in her lap. Alessandro is right. She looks like she’s waiting patiently for all the pain to be over.
"Isabella," my father spits in disgust. "You stand with him now? Your own blood means nothing?"
I take a steadying breath. "No, Father, you’re the one whose blood means nothing."
“I swear my loyalty to Don Dante,” Enrico says. For the first time in my life, I hear fear in his voice.
“Fucking pussy. We’re here because of you,” my father says with disdain. “Let me put the bullet in his brain, Don Dante.”
I glance at Alessandro, whose brow furrows as if he can’t believe what he’s seeing.
With a shake of his head, he looks over at Adriano. “Take Mrs. Vitale to the back guest room.”
He nods and helps my mother up. Like an automaton, she goes with him.
“She’ll be locked there, but safe and comfortable,” Alessandro says to me.
Then Alessandro moves to stand directly before my brother. “Not so tough now, are you?” Then he makes a face. “Did you just piss your pants?” He looks at his men. “How did he get to be so feared when he’s a fucking coward?”
“I can serve you?—”
“No.”
My father strains against his bonds. "You think he sees you differently, Isabella? You're nothing but a whore?—”
"Enough," Alessandro cuts in. "Marco Vitale, you have attempted to destroy my family. You conspired with the Bratva, poisoned my men, and tortured my wife."
Marco's chin lifts defiantly. "And I'd do it again. The Dantes have always been unworthy of their power. Your father was a—” His words are cut short with a bullet into his forehead.
I gasp at the noise, the splatter of blood. But I hold my composure as my father falls. Alessandro glances over me, and I nod to tell him I’m okay.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck… ” My brother chants. “You don’t have to do this. I can help you.”
Alessandro holds his gun inches from Enrico’s forehead. "Any last words?"
"She'll never be happy with you," Enrico snarls. "She'll always be a Vitale."
I lift my head high. "No. I'm Isabella Dante now."
The shot comes, and Enrico’s body slumps forward. I feel relief.
I am free.
Alessandro gives orders for cleanup and business issues, but Alessandro is in the living room with his brothers and Cristian. Eva is there as well, her expression showing the same relief I feel.
Luca's deep laugh carries across the room as he teases Adriano about something, while Eva rests a hand on her rounded belly, smiling. Cristian is deep in conversation with Alessandro, their heads bent together in that serious way men have when discussing business.
But when I enter the room, Alessandro is quickly by my side. “You okay?” He kisses my temple.
“Yes.”
“Quick! Look out the window. I think pigs must be flying. Alessandro grew a heart,” Adriano teases.
“Har-har.” He puts his arm around me. “We’re here to celebrate a great victory. One that couldn’t have happened without all of us.”
“Luca too,” Adriano jokes.
“Luca too.” Alessandro’s eyes narrow at Luca. “You were fucked by our father. I knew the leader in you. I hated you for it. I always knew you’d have been the better heir?—”
