In this, perhaps, he is right.
I hold his stare.
“Yes,” I say quietly. “Brother.”
The word changes things.
As well it should.
Luca Conti is no cousin. Certainly not a distant relation.
Not the son of Elio Conti and Maria Conti as the world believes.
Francis Conti’s firstborn.
My brother, if the evidence Father left behind is to be believed.
And I do believe it.
I did not want to.
For a long time, I wanted to bury it with him. Francis Conti built his life on secrets, and even at the end, he tried to hand them to me as if they were an inheritance. Keep it close. Trust no one. Letno weakness show. Let no truth escape unless it could be used as a weapon.
That was his way.
It is not mine.
Not in this.
Not with them.
My sons know. My brothers know. Their sons know. Not because Father would have approved, but because I refuse to build the future of this family on a lie no one is allowed to name.
“Brother,” I repeat.
Tomasso lowers his chin once.
Matteo looks at his twin, then back to me, his expression unreadable.
I continue.
“We do not know how Luca Conti runs Atlantic City. We know pieces. Reputation. Influence. The loyalty of his people. The strength of what he built before he went to prison and maintained throughout his time there. He came out just as strong. He has ruled for over thirty years. We know he is not a man to underestimate.”
“No,” Ricardo says. “He is not.”
“Whatever happened between Father and Elio all those years ago,” I say, “whatever hatred Father carried until his last breath, I have no intention of running headfirst into a feud with a man who has Luca Conti’s power, reach, and discipline.”
“Especially not for the likes of Emilio Bellandi,” Diego says.
“Especially not for Emilio Bellandi.”
Lorenzo rests his forearms on the table. “It may still be wise to make allies with those we know will stand with us.”
“Yes,” I say. “But not the Bellandis.”
Ricardo’s gaze turns sharp with agreement.
“An alliance with them would be a direct challenge to Atlantic City,” I say. “There can be no mistake about that. Bellandi knows it. Luca would know it. Everyone watching from here to the coast would know it.”
