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"It would mean discussing our history somewhat."

"I have nowhere pressing to be."

Gianna nods. "Very well. The Family – that's with a capital F – was previously governed by my husband, and subsequently my late son, Luka. Both differed significantly from Nico."

"In what manner?"

"Nico has a compassionate heart. Don't misinterpret me – and I won't lie to you – Nico can summon the necessary fortitude when circumstances demand, but he takes no pleasure from inflicting pain. He doesn't harm innocents. He doesn't revel in saturating the streets with filth that virtually guarantees overdoses. He genuinely abhors the entire business, truthfully."

"Yet he remains involved, nonetheless."

"I'm getting to that," Gianna says.

I gesture for her to go on.

"When his father died," she continues, "Nico declined leadership of the Family. He wanted nothing to do with it. From an early age, he was like that. He dreamed of attending college, leading a normal life. And for years, he did just that. Luka was the heir; Nico was the spare. Nico established himself as a hedge fund manager. He maintained minimal communication with his father and brother."

"Why – because they differed from his principles?"

"Nico has a kind soul," Gianna says.

I suppress the urge to confess. I know. I've sensed that. I feel it when we kiss. I see it in the shadows and shades of his expressions.

Maybe all that online research and charitable activity is the real him.

"My late husband got his hooks in Luka early, molding him in his own image."

"What exactly were their activities?"

She stares at me bleakly, her mood darkening considerably. "You don't want to know."

"Yes, I do."

"Sienna, I must emphasize?—"

"Jeez. I'm not a cop. Or a spy. I'm nobody significant."

"Now that’s not true."

"I simply want to understand who this man truly is," I say.

This stranger who doesn’t feel like a stranger. This man who makes me consider that perhaps I was wrong when I thought flirting and fun, and relationships weren’t for me.

"My late husband, and subsequently Luka upon assuming the Don position, flooded the city with drugs, prostitution, and extortion rackets. Collaborating with the Russians, they transformed this city into a cesspool."

"But not Nico?"

She shakes her head. "Nico was disgusted by it all. He tried to dissuade them, but they remained obstinate. Once, when he threatened to report them, my late husband..." Gianna's eyes glisten. "He threatened my life if Nico persisted. After his passing, Luka perpetuated that threat: guards monitoring me constantly, ready to eliminate me."

"Oh my God," I whisper.

"Then Luka perished in a car accident. Nico had two options: allow the Family to fall into one of Luka's equally corrupt men’s hands, or assume control himself. He opted for the latter. He worked harder than any man ever should, but he succeeded."

“Succeeded is what?"

"Purifying the city," Gianna says, awe resonating in her voice. Her pride in Nico overwhelms me, inexplicably inspiring my admiration for him. "He ended the mob conflict. He band narcotics, human trafficking, and all similar enterprises. He redirected the Family toward white-collar crime. He legitimized as many operations as feasible. I've never disclosed any of this to a civilian."

"Yes, yes, I'm extraordinarily special," I mutter sarcastically.