Page 289 of Ricardo

Vito finally takes a chair opposite Mario, which tells me he has been taught well. Roberto sits beside him. Adrian remains standing near the wall at Vito’s back, not close enough to crowd him, but placed where he can see everyone and reach the door before anyone else can.

Lorenzo notices too.

His eyes narrow slightly, thoughtful rather than offended.

Mario sits.

The rest of us follow, except Adrian.

For a few seconds, no one speaks.

The Atlantic City Contis are in Chicago. In our building. In Mario’s conference room. Because of a message that began on Bellandi’s body and was finally answered after Dante’s blood spilled.

Vito rests one hand on the table.

There is a simple wedding band on his finger and no other adornment. He is married to Adrian's cousin, if I recall correctly.

“My father received your message,” he says.

Mario’s face gives nothing away. “So I gathered.”

“He considered answering by phone.”

“And changed his mind?”

Vito’s mouth does not move. “He decided the matter deserved more respect.”

Roberto adds, “And more care.”

The attorney in him is evident in his words.

Mario leans back slightly. “You know the name involved.”

“The Winthrops,” Roberto says. “Yes.”

He places a leather folder on the table and opens it with neat hands.

Already prepared.

Of course.

A strange, cold satisfaction moves through me.

Luca did not send his people to ask whether we had overreacted. He did not send them to decide if Harrison mattered. He sent them with a file.

Roberto slides the top page forward, but does not push it to us yet.

“Harrison Winthrop III,” he says. “Son of Harrison Winthrop II, former senator, current senior adviser with direct access to the White House. Grandson of Harrison Winthrop, former vice president. Family foundations across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington. Campaign donors embedded in both public and private structures. Old money polished into public service.”

Diego looks toward me.

Julia’s warning repeats in my mind.

Political royalty.

One step below the Kennedys.

Roberto turns another page. “They are very well protected. Many powerful people have used their family name as cover at one time or another.”