Page 75 of Blood Debt

Tony’s pause says everything.

“It can destroy his trafficking network,” he says. “But not him. Not Cristofano Bellarosa.”

My fingers tighten against the wall tile.

“Then how do I destroy him?” I ask. “He went after my daughter. Twice. I want him gone.”

“Serafina—”

“I want him gone,” I say again, voice still flat. “I need to erase him from her future.”

Tony’s tone sharpens. “Calm down.”

“I am calm.”

“I’ll prep an exit for you. We can—”

“I need him gone,” I say again. “I need his empire cut down. I need him to fall.”

Tony sighs into the line. “You think I don’t want him gone, too? But only the mafia can kill the mafia. You know that. That’s not something we can touch.”

My jaw tenses.

“Then how do I enable that?”

Another beat of silence.

“You’re letting your heart get too dark, Sera,” Tony says gently. “It’s not like you.”

“If I leave,” I whisper, “he’ll know it was me. He’ll know. And he won’t stop. Not until he wipes me out. And if he can’t reach me, he’ll find Bianca.”

Tony doesn’t speak for a moment.

Then: “I’ll send you a location. Tonight.”

I nod. “Fine.”

The line goes dead.

I place the receiver back behind the cabinet, slide the mirror shut, and walk back into my room.

The bed sits untouched.

The air is still warm from the day, but my body feels cold.

I slip under the covers, curling into my side, and stare at the dark ceiling above me.

If I want to protect Bianca…if I want her to live free of shadows…I have to take Cristofano Bellarosa off the board.

Completely.

Chapter 16 – Cristofano

Bellarosa Estate

I stand at the window, cigarette between my lips, watching her in the courtyard below. Even from up here, I can see the way she carries herself, but her voice is steady as she directs the junior maids toward the guest wing. She’s been here long enough to learn how to move in my world without drawing blood. But I still see the tension in her shoulders. She wears it like armor.

The door opens. Matteo steps inside without knocking.