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"I'll do it," he finally says, his voice firm. "But you're going to explain yourself the minute we get whatever you think he's hiding in there. All of it, Mel. No more secrets."
Relief floods through me. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," he mutters. "This could get us both killed."
"Do you know his schedule for the next few days?" I ask, changing the subject. "When can you get into his office without him noticing?"
Leo runs a hand through his hair. "He hasn't kept to any schedule since you left. He's been..." He hesitates. "Different. Distracted. But he has a meeting with Raymond today at ten. I can do it then."
"Today?" My pulse quickens. This is happening faster than I expected.
"It's now or never, Mel." His eyes harden with determination. "You asked for my help and this is when I can give it. Are you ready or not?"
I nod, swallowing hard. "I'm ready."
I see Leo's expression change as a flicker of suspicion crosses his features.
"What the hell are you doing with the Ferettis anyway?" he demands in a harsh whisper. "Have you lost your mind?"
The accusation stings but I lift my chin. "They've helped me more than our father ever did."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Leo, when was the last time Father actually protected either of us from anything? Really protected us?"
The question hangs between us. I can see greater conflict in his eyes as memories surface—all the times our father chose business over family, power over love.
"Alessio will give you a phone number," I say gently. "Call it when Father is gone from the house. It's secure—no one can trace it."
Leo runs a hand through his hair, a gesture so like our mother's it makes my heart ache. "Fine. But this better be worth it, Mel."
"It will be," I promise. "And Leo? Thank you."
His expression softens just slightly. "Don't thank me yet." He glances at his watch.
"Be careful."
"You too." He pauses, then adds, "Whatever you're into, Mel... just watch yourself."
The screen goes black as he ends the call, and I'm left staring at my own reflection.
I return to the Feretti estate, my mind still replaying the conversation with Leonardo. The man had been ready to kill me on sight, but in the end his love for his sister overrode everything else. That kind of loyalty is rare—dangerous and valuable in equal measure.
When I push open the door to my bedroom I find Melania sitting on the bed, her back to me. Her shoulders tremble slightly and I know immediately something's wrong.
"Melania?" I keep my voice low, gentle.
I crouch down in front of her, my thumb tracing her jaw. "What's wrong,piccola?"
"Nothing." She shakes her head, blinking rapidly. "I'm fine."
"Bullshit." I cup her face between my hands. "Talk to me."
Her composure crumbles like a house of cards. One moment she's holding herself together, the next she's collapsing against my chest, her body wracked with sobs.
I gather her against me, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other wraps around her waist. Her tears soak through my shirt as she clings to me, her fingers digging into my back.
"I've got you," I murmur into her hair. "I've got you."