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Then I see him—my father, standing apart in his pristine pinstripe suit, and my heart catches.

“Papa?”

He turns, stern features melting into a dimpled smile that brings tears to my eyes. I can’t remember the last time he looked at me like this. The familiar scent of cigars wraps around me as he pulls me close.

“Stellina,”he whispers into my hair. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t believe you, but you were right about everything. You did everything right, and I should have listened.”

For one perfect moment, I let myself believe that he’s here for me—just me—his daughter. Not the family name, not our legacy, but his child waiting to know if the man she loves will survive.

“He saved me, Papa,” I say, pulling back to search his face. “Cade saved me that night.”

“I know.” His eyes flick up to something behind me, then quickly return to me. “You’ve handled everything . . . perfectly.”

More words tumble out before I can stop them. “Cade’s wonderful, Papa. I love him.”

His smile vanishes. My father’s body goes rigid, and I catch his quick glance at my left hand and the slight narrowing of his eyes when he spots the engagement ring.

Has something happened to Cade?I scan the room for reassurance but only see Phoenix’s solemn nod and Dante’s bland look.

I turn back to see Papa’s face already darkened with rage, his mouth pressed into a hard line.

Shit.Maybe I shouldn’t have said that in the first five seconds of our reunion. When has Papa ever approved of my choices? And Cade did threaten to kill him.

But then again, Papa was waiting here—for Cade. He didn’t come downstairs to the wards to see me.

Papa opens his mouth, and I brace myself for his cutting words. But then, his gaze shifts upward, and whatever he sees there makes him pale.

I follow his look to find Nico watching, his expression arctic.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re here, Papa.” I shoot him a weak smile, trying to diffuse the mounting tension. “And you got here so fast too.” Although I suppose, without a Clemenza to send in his place anymore, he’d have to pull his own weight in the father department.

“Stellina,you’re my daughter, of course—”

“You’re his Capo, Luna,” Nico corrects sharply. “In the absence of you or Quinn, it is he who commands—although not without securing your ring first.”

Thetruth settles over me like winter frost. Papa’s eyes drop to my hands again, and now I understand what he’s searching for. Even now, with his daughter’s world hanging by a thread, his first thought is of power.

I feel my heart break and reform, stronger this time. Cade was right—there’s nothing wrong with loving someone who doesn’t deserve it.

“Well, Papa,” I manage a smile, probably my first real one in hours. “You’re nothing if not consistent.”

I step into his arms one last time, breathe in that familiar cigar scent, then turn away. Let him stand there in the middle of the room, watching as I choose my new family. Some wounds can’t be healed, but they can make you stronger.

55

Luna

It’s been five hours and still no news.

Every time the OR doors swing open, I freeze. But it’s always just another nurse, another clipboard, another moment of this endless waiting.

The squeak of wheels breaks through the waiting room murmur. A nurse in pale blue scrubs pushes a medical equipment cart toward me with the kind of grace that seems out of place against the sterile hospital backdrop.

“Luna Romano?”

Her voice carries that practiced medical tone. “The ER nurse asked me to check your vitals.” She pats the monitoring equipment. “Just to make sure you’re still okay to be out of bed.”

I swallow a knot and nod. “Alright.”