Page 162 of Brutal Crown

“To the future,” another person calls out.

We all cheer and drink.

Music swells again, the night unfolding in waves of joy and ease. I descend the steps, making my way back to Lia, when the doors slam open.

“Police!”

The voice is loud and harsh, cutting through the celebratory mood.

Foreign in our world.

Gasps ripple through the crowd as Giovanni Moretti strides in, flanked by four uniformed officers. His wife walks beside him, her chin held high.

The soft music pauses mid-note as silence blankets the room.

“What the hell is this?” my father demands, rising from his seat.

Giovanni doesn’t pay my father any mind. He barges toward Antonio and points at him without hesitation. “This is the man. Arrest him.”

“Dad!” Silvia immediately gets up from her seat. “What are you doing?” she whispers harshly.

He ignores her.

“Mom—”

“Antonio Marchesi,” the lead cop cuts her off. “You’re under arrest for the murder of Angelo Calderón.”

Whispers and murmurs fill the air. Lia’s grip tightens around my arm.

“No,” Silvia whispers.

The officers move fast, gripping Antonio by both arms. He doesn’t fight or resist. His steady gaze finds Silvia instantly and lingers on her.

“There must be a mistake somewhere!” Silvia rushes after them.

“I’m okay,” Antonio tells her the exact moment her father moves forward to grab her arm.

“Silvia!” His voice is cold like ice. “You’re making a fool out of yourself. Step back, and let the police do their job.”

She turns to him, anger and disbelief carved into her face. “You set this up.”

Elena rushes toward them. “He is wanted for murder, Silvia. There’s evidence. You’ll see it soon enough.” Her cold, dark gaze finds Antonio. I’ve never seen her look so murderous. “You were wrong about him. We were all wrong about him.”

The commotion is getting worse now, and I feel a surge of anger rushing up my spine.

“This is my home,” I say, stepping forward. “You don’t storm into a gathering like this and cause a ruckus for no reason.”

“It’s a legal arrest,” Giovanni replies coldly. “If you have a problem, take it up with the courts.”

I take another step forward, but Lia squeezes my hand, urging me not to move.

I grit my teeth, trying to control my anger. I respect Giovanni, and I believe there’s a reason for this, but it doesn’t excuse the blatant disrespect for my father and me.

“Do you have a warrant?” my father asks. I can tell he’s also livid.

The same cop from earlier steps forward and shows it to us.

A defeated sigh leaves my lips as I turn to look at Silvia. I wish I could do more, but this seems like family business, and I don’t want to interfere.