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ALESSANDRO

W e're halfway back to the compound when the first calls come in.

Every one of us is wrung out, drained. The last fight took it out of us.

They really had no idea who they were dealing with. It was a wholesale bloodbath. Mostly thanks to the twins. Funny how so few people ever notice them. Or when they vanish in the middle of a long-winded speech.

After finishing them off, we stole a van, booked it back toward the compound. All was well.

That is, until members of my family start calling, reporting kidnappings all over the city.

The first is from my cousin Leo, panicked, telling me that someone's kidnapped his daughter. I try to put him at ease, telling him that we're working on it. That we’ll do everything we can to bring her home.

The next comes from Federico, one of the elders; his grandson is gone.

Another and another; Harlo’s wife, Nel’s grandmother.

Vito calls last, demanding that we meet, a gathering of all the elders and important family members. He calls it at his offices downtown.

Adriano slams his hand down on the steering wheel of the van.

“Dammit! That scheming fuck!”

My brain is lagging, overwhelmed. The only thing that matters is the woman leaning on my shoulder in the backseat.

“We got played. Led off on a wild goose chase,” Ciro grumbles, straightening when I growl at him. “No offense, Isabella. You’re a really pretty goose.”

“Head back to the compound, then we can go meet with the elders, make a plan to get back the hostages. One step at a time.” Times like these, I need to stay calm.

No sooner do I give the order than my phone rings.

“Tomas?”

“Good, you’re alive. You make my job really hard when you go rogue, you know?”

“Do I need to find a replacement for you, brother?” I prod.

“No, you need to stay gone. I’m going to get Angie and Gigi out. Do not come back to the compound, whatever you do—” The line cuts out.

“Tomas? Shit.” I know better than to call back. Something is going on. “Compound is compromised.”

All three brothers groan, cursing.

“We need to regroup.”

“Agreed. And get Isabella somewhere safe. Tomas will probably head straight to Fortezza .”

“Then I suggest we do the same.” Adriano smiles grimly.

“Sweet! I’ve never been,” Ciro intones.

“It’s just a safe house.” Ero shrugs. “A really nice safe house.”

“And one not a single soul knows about but us.”

Fortezza has been kept off the books, completely undocumented for just this purpose. Much like the lodge in the Italian Alps, except instead of disappearing from memory, it was never shared outside of leadership.

“What's going on?” Isabella asks, stirring beside me. She passed out almost instantly when we started driving.

“Don’t worry. We’re going somewhere safe for you to rest.”

“I could use a nap, I guess. Seven showers, too.”

“You can take a seven-hour shower if you’d like.”

“Thank you, Alessandro.”

“For what?”

“For finding me. Coming for me,” her words slur as she drifts back off.

“I’ll always come for you.” I wrap my arm around her, holding her close. She’s a mess, filthy, streaked in dirt and grime, blood. She suffered for me. And I couldn’t be more grateful, proud.

And hellbent on revenge.

We take the secret entrance into the underground garage, activating the security and turning the power back on to the building. I haven’t been out here in several months, but it’s undisturbed, just how Tomas and I left it.

Carrying Isa inside—despite her protests that she can walk—I take her straight to the bathroom. I need a shower myself, a change of clothes.

It will have to wait.

Ciro, Adri, and Ero all head straight into their rooms, digging out spare clothes and cleaning up.

“Just shout if you need anything,” I pat the fresh towels on the counter, pulling the door behind me.

“Aless—”

“I turn back.

She swallows hard, clutching her hands to her chest. “Leave it open. Please.”

I plant a kiss on her matted hair before leaving.

Slumping down on the bench at the foot of the bed, I massage my sore muscles, kicking off my shoes. Everything stinks like smoke and sweat. Blood clotting on my right arm.

Need to clean that gunshot graze.

Need to eat.

Need to fucking find Domenico Vipera and tear him limb from limb.

But first, we pull ourselves together. Get presentable.

Showing authority to the elders and the family will help calm them down.

Several phone calls and a shower later, I’m leaning on the kitchen counter, waiting to hear back from my scouts. They’re tracking the missing family members.

“Adriano, call in all of our favors. Make sure we get them back. Tonight.”

“Already on it.” He’s been on the phone since we got back as well. Sometimes it feels more like we’re running a company than a family crime syndicate. Conference calls, video meetings. I suppose they’re one and the same, in some ways.

Makes me wonder what Uncle Giancarlo would think of the “new school” of gangsters.

Heading into my room, I find Isa wrapped in a fuzzy robe, sitting on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair.

She’s glowing, vibrant, even with the bags under eyes.

“Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

“I drank some water. I could eat. Not feeling…great,” she mutters, looking down. One hand rests on her belly.

“So…it’s true?” I can’t help asking as I approaching the bed.

A little smile pulls at her lips. “Yes.”

“How long have you known?” I lower myself to the edge of the bed, giving her space.

“I took a test at the lodge, before we left. Before Adriano…”

“Found you out?”

“That’s one way to put it. Yeah.” Shadows flicker across her visage.

“You don’t have to think about that now. It’s behind us.” I inch closer to her.

“Is it?”

For a second the distance between us is cavernous. I realize we’ve barely spoken about it, other than the other night before we made love, before she was taken. So I close the distance, scooting closer to her.

She lets me, leaning in to press against me.

“When I found out you weren't who you said you were, I lost my mind. I wanted to destroy the whole world. Betrayal felt like the biggest thing, insurmountable.”

“That’s how I felt about Gio. About the fact that you were a Diamante.”

“I should have realized sooner, when I couldn’t bring myself to hurt you, or worse. It was too easy to make excuses for why we needed to bring you back here.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“I am too. But my anger wouldn’t let me admit it…until you were gone.”

“You have every right to your anger.”

“I’ll get over it…you, our child, that’s all that matters now.”

“Speaking of our child…” She pulls away from me, looking me in the eye. “It feels so strange to say that.”

“In the best way.”

“Yes. But Alessandro…this”— she gestures to her belly—“this changes things. Changes everything.”

My brow furrows, my chest tightening.

“Do you not want me to be involved?” It’s a force of will to keep the roiling anger at bay. I have to accept what she wants. “You want to run. Flee to keep the child safe.”

“It changes the way I see everything, Alessandro. I want whatever is best for our baby. And that means both of us. Together. I want you. Need you.”

“Even with all of this, my family, our way of life? You’d stay?”

“I would. I told you that the other night. My whole life was waiting here for me, Angelica, Gigi. The memory of my brother. It was fate that brought us together.”

“Maybe your brother is watching over us.” I pull her close, closing my eyes as we kiss, our tongues sweeping into an intimate flutter. I’d like nothing more than to throw her onto this bed, but…“My brothers, on the other hand, need to mind their own business!”

Ciro clears his throat, poking his head around the door.

“Oh, are you two busy? Cause we were kinda waiting on you to save our whole family, you know?”

“This is my family too, now, jackass. Yours too.” I tilt my head pointedly.

“Uncle Ciro! I like the sound of that. Are matches a good present for a kid? Nah, I’ll get her a tiny gun!” He bobs his eyebrows, dancing away before I can throw something at him.

“Sorry about him.”

“It’s okay. Your brothers are starting to grow on me.”

“If you say so.”

“Ero and Ciro were kind to me when they introduced me to Angelica. Adriano, on the other hand…I don’t know if he’ll ever trust me.

“He came with me to save you. They all did.”

“Because you ordered them to.”

“No. Because they’re family. And they recognized that you were too.” We kiss once more, deeper, slower. I could stay here forever.

“You were spectacular, you know?” I whisper.

“I had to be.”

“I know. I’m sorry I let them?—”

“Don’t. It’s not your fault.”

“They took you to get to me,” I argue, balling my fists.

“So go make them pay.”

“I will.” I kiss her forehead tenderly. “Get some sleep. We have a meeting with the elders. I'll be back soon.”

Turning to leave, she grabs my hand. “Alessandro?”

“Yes?”

“I love you. Be careful.”

“I will. I promise we’ll talk more about…us when we have time. But I can’t run from this. It’s my duty to take responsibility for everything Dom has done.”

She nods, kissing my fingertips as she lays back on the bed. “It’s my responsibility too, now. To support you.”

That resolve, and her words bolster my resolve as I head out into the living area, closing the door. Still, leaving her is impossibly difficult.

“Who’s driving?”

The trip across town is silent. Ciro doesn’t even crack a joke. His leg bobs in the floorboard, the only sign of his nerves. He’ll stay detached until we’re on the brink of disaster, then he’ll pull out a Hail Mary and save the day.

He’s always been quick on his feet.

Ero stares blankly out the window, twirling a knife in one hand. Anyone else would think he’s out for a night drive the way he looks relaxed, casual. I know better. He’s meditating. Centering himself.

Adriano broods, as usual. He’ll be plotting, planning, running over every detail and contingency. Whatever the outcome, he’ll have a plan. And a backup plan for the backup. He never misses a single detail.

Vito’s offices are dark, except for the lobby and the elevator up on the top floor. Same with the spacious hallway that leads us to the conference room connected to his office. I’ve been here dozens of times, going over our assets, cooking the books.

The room is packed.

Every elder is present. Most of our business liaisons, too.

Some are still in their nightclothes. All of them look strained, anxious. The tension in the room raises my hackles.

Something's off.

“Vito? I’m sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances, but let me assure you?—”

“Assure? What are you doing about this, Don Alessandro?!” Will shouts from the back of the room.

“I’ve already sent scouts to locate your loved ones.”

“Alessandro, it’s not enough.”

“What do you mean? We’re going to handle this like we always have. Aggressively. Decisively.”

Vito’s head hangs, his shoulders drooping. “I don’t think it will be enough this time, my boy. He’s…he's taken all the right people. Promised money to all the worst people. He's made threats. Real threats.”

“The Diamantes are not intimidated by threats.”

“No. These are more than threats. He showed us video of my nephew and niece!”

“Backstabbing, traitorous…” Ciro growls.

“Vito, stay calm. I am here to deal with?—”

“You’re here now, sure,” Alva snaps. “Where were you for weeks when things were heating up, when you could have de-escalated? Prevented this!”

“I know you’re scared, but the elders and I made that call, despite my misgivings.”

“There was an attempt on his life,” Adriano steps forward. “Not that it’s any of your business, outside of that circle. It was a decision to safeguard the head of our family.”

“And look where it got us!”

“What got us was neglecting to eliminate Domenico when he left the family. An oversight I plan to amend soon.” I plant both hands on the table.

The response is unexpected. Several eyes dart away from mine, looking to each other. To Vito.

Adriano inhales, resting a hand on my shoulder.

“How many?” His voice is cool, so soft that the people in the back have to strain to hear. But the room is instantly silent enough to hear a pin drop. “How. Many?”

His stony gaze scans the room, judgmental. Calculating.

Slowly, several hands rise up into the air.

“You've already sworn to him.” He nods.

It hits me harder, a gut punch. I’m not surprised that Adriano thought of this eventuality, though.

Pushing off the table I cross my arms.

“So. That’s how it is, huh?”

“Yes, it is.” A familiar voice slaps me across the face, filtered with a digital garble. “Vito?”

Vito grimaces, turning the computer screen on the table around to face me.

“Domenico.” My best friend. Now my greatest foe.

“Alessandro.”

“How long have you been planning this? Years?” Dom disappeared far too recently to have achieved what he did in a matter of days.

“It wasn't easy. Let me tell you. It was one of the hardest things I've had to do. Just like watching you take my place at the head of the family. I had to be so careful, building my empire right under your nose. But I suppose you always had your nose turned up so high that you couldn’t see anyone beneath you. Not really.”

“I always look up to you, Dom.”

“Yet you let this happen. You let them throw me away like trash.”

“I followed the desires of the family. I expected you to do the same and be my second, my confidante.”

“I’m no side kick, little brother.”

“Not anymore.”

“Don’t act so high and mighty. Can you even imagine the shame and humiliation of working under the man who is supposed to back me up, my right hand and lieutenant for over a decade?!” His sneering face contorts on the screen, a stranger to me, this sinister creature that he’s become. “Only to have you say nothing! When that worthless old hack overlooked me, gave you the throne and you just tucked your tail, kissed his feet, and did what you were told. Like always.”

“I’ve done my duty, and I earned their respect.”

“The only thing you’ve earned is a fall from glory. You trust too much. You take too much for granted. You’re not a suitable leader.”

“And you are? What kind of leader takes children and the elderly as hostages in the dead of night?” I’m shaking, barely holding my rage at bay.

“One who acts. Who takes and gives back. All of their loved ones are already home, safe and sound.”

“Until you decide to take them again, right? Until you need to coerce them into doing what you want again.”

“That’s called power, piccolo . Now they know I am strong. Not only that, they know I follow through on my word. That I will decisively dole out punishment or justice when necessary. That is how a real don behaves.”

He's right. And yet he's so wrong.

“So, what am I supposed to do now? Concede? Swear my fealty to you?” I scoff, opening my hands wide. Several members of the council flinch, watching me closely.

“No, as much as I would love to keep you under heel…they have their instructions.”

Two men step behind us, blocking the door.

“Ah. I see.” Adriano settles.

“I’d like to say I’ll see you around, old friend. It was good to see you. Or at least the look on your face. Andare con Dio, fratello .”

The call cuts off, the screen going black.

Vito steps around, a sickly pale tinting his skin. “I am sorry, Alessandro.”

The rest of the elders avert their eyes, leaving Vito as their spokesman.

“So, you’re just going to do what? Kill all four of us?”

“No.” He swallows. “Just you.”

“I'd say over my dead body. But that's kind of the point isn't it?” I laugh humorlessly.

Ciro snickers, leaning against the wall. “We could always shoot our way out,” he mutters under his breath.

But none of us really want that. Well, all of us except maybe Fiero. He could have a knife in every single throat before I could give the order.

“No. This is our family. I won’t harm them, even now.”

Vito sighs, his face crumpling. He waves for the rest of the crowd to go and most file out, leaving a small handful of the most prominent members of my council and their guards.

“So we’re just supposed to stand here and let you kill our brother?” Adriano asks, his nostrils flaring.

“You can stay, or go. I just have to do it here, on camera.” He points back to the computer facing us. Dom must still be watching.

“We’re not going to let this happen…” Adriano growls, stepping forward, his hand on his gun.

I hold out a hand, stopping him as every guard in the room takes aim at us.

“None of you want to do this. I understand. May I have a moment to say goodbye to my brothers?”

Vito waves and steps back to the far side of the long board room, his guards keeping their guns trained on me. They know exactly how deadly we can be when pushed into a corner.

“Good God, everything just went to shit in a handbasket didn't it?” Ciro exclaims quietly, once we are huddled.

“It's hell in a handbasket,” Ero corrects.

“Well, the basket’s full of shit, regardless.”

“What’s the play? I’ve got a few ideas?—”

“Adri. No.” I shake my head. “This ends tonight.”

“You’re…giving up?” Ero asks, genuinely confused.

“Dom is right about one thing. It’s the Don’s job to make the hard choice. Someone has to pull the trigger .”

No matter what happens, every person in the Diamante syndicate is my responsibility. I won’t let my arrogance lead to lost lives, families being torn apart. If I surrender, at least they will live. Even if it’s under a tyrant.

I nod to Adriano, and he nods back, scowling. He knows my thoughts, enough not to argue.

“I hate this.”

“Me too, Adriano. But it has to be one of you.”

Ciro looks back and forth between us, a look of horror on his face. Suddenly his eyes widen and he makes an O shape with his lips. A wink is all I can spare him as I step away, back toward the center of the room and the waiting camera.

Staring right at the screen, the lens at the top, I kneel, glaring the whole while, hoping Dom can see the promise in my eyes. “I do this, so that my brothers may live, so that my people live. I’ll see you in hell, Domenico.”

I feel one of my brothers approaching from the side.

I close my eyes.

Three sharp blasts and everything goes dark.