Page 77 of Brutal Crown

Dante clears his throat and reads aloud:

In silence we rule. In blood we bind. In darkness we thrive.

To the House of Romano,

After careful consideration of the recent revelations brought to our attention by Marco Romano, the Council of Elders has reached the following decision:

The Elders of La Mano Nera acknowledge the legitimacy of Marco Romano’s claim. By unanimous vote, the union between Marco Romano and Rosalia Ricci is hereby sanctioned by La Mano Nera.

The prophetic child shall be born under the protection of the Society and raised in accordance with our ancient traditions. Marco Romano shall complete his initiation and, upon the birth of the child: Assume the role of Keeper of the Black Hand for the next generation.

The unborn child, should it reach the age of eighteen, shall be tested for leadership potential. Until then, it remains under the protection of the future Keeper of the Black Hand—Marco Romano.

The child’s safety and upbringing are now matters of the highest priority. Any threat to the child or its mother will be considered an act of treason against the Society.

This decision is final and not subject to appeal.

—The Elders

The letter bears their multiple seals.

Dante looks up at Marco with a mixture of pride and concern. “Keeper of the Black Hand? That’s… that’s one of the most powerful positions in the Society.”

“I know,” Marco says quietly. “It means I’ll be responsible for protecting and guiding the prophetic child. Training them. Ensuring they fulfill their destiny.”

“And if the child doesn’t live up to the prophecy?” I ask, though I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

Marco’s expression darkens. “Then the Society will consider it a failure of my guidance. And failures… aren’t tolerated.”

Dante stands slowly, walking over to Marco.

“You took an enormous risk,” he says finally. “But you may have saved us all.” He pauses. “I’m proud of you, son. You’ve shown true leadership.”

Marco nods, but I can see the weight of his decision in his eyes. “I just hope I made the right choice.”

“You did,” Olga says firmly. “The Society’s protection is worth any price.”

As they continue discussing the implications, I stand frozen, my mind reeling. Marco has saved Lia’s life, but at what cost? He’s bound himself to the Society in ways that will control not just his future, but the future of my child.

My child, who will now be raised to believe Marco is their father. My child, who will be trained and molded by the very organization I’ve grown to fear and despise.

My child, who will carry the weight of a prophecy that could either save or destroy everything we know.

I want to scream. I want to tell them all the truth. But I know now, more than ever, that my silence is the only thing keeping Lia and our child alive.

So I force myself to smile and nod, playing the part of the supportive brother while my heart breaks with every word.

“Congratulations, Marco,” I manage to say. “You’re going to be a father.”

And a Keeper. And a husband to the woman my heart beats for.

“Thank you, brother,” Marco says as he walks to the door. “I’m going to see my fiancée,” he says. “We have a wedding to plan.”

He opens the door, then glances back at me. “Unless there’s something else you want to say, brother.”

I stare at him. At the smirk on his lips. The arrogance pouring out of him. The mask hiding whatever dark thing he’s agreed to do for the Society.

I can’t punch him. Can’t kill him. Can’t even tell him to go to hell without putting her in danger. So I school my features into an easy smile, dead inside.