Page 124 of Fire and Silk

Not out of pity. Not from weakness. She meant it.

And something shifted.

She wasn’t supposed to have that kind of loyalty left. Not after what he did. But she held it close. Guarded it.

And I saw it clearly. She loved him.

That’s when I changed the plan.

I told Matteo to stand down. Told him to let the abduction play out. I would walk her right to the pickup point. I’d give her over like I was done with her. They’d think they won. Let them.

I didn’t want her stuck here. Not with my siblings. Not with me.

She deserves something cleaner.

Something safe.

Even if it isn’t real.

Even if it’s Salvatri.

I hear her voice in my head again—raw, hoarse, desperate—shouting my name while he carried her away.

My stomach knots.

This is what surrender feels like. Not noble. Not brave. Just… necessary. I met with Salvatri a week ago. Matteo brought him to me.

He kept one hand in his coat. The other curled near his side like he didn’t trust the air between us.

“I know your plan with my siblings,” I said flatly. “You want her back? Work for me instead.”

He scoffed, weight shifting like he might reach for something stupid. “Why would you make that offer? You don’t exactly strike me as generous.”

“I’m not. I don’t deserve her.”

He stared at me. Then his jaw ticked. “If this is a trick—”

“Go along with it,” I cut in. “Back out and they’ll know. You don’t need me as bait. I’ll make her follow you willingly.”

He blinked . “How?”

I didn’t flinch. “Use the airport. My men are waiting. You’ll be on a special flight.”

His lip curled. “You’re just giving her up? That easy?”

“I can kill you here and now. Don’t ask me questions. Do what I said.”

I walked away first.

Now, in the present, Matteo stands just behind me, boots half-buried in forest loam. The fire’s out. The trees are quiet.

He doesn’t clear his throat. Doesn’t ask gently. Just: “Are we still going through with the rest of the plan?”

I nod .

I’m going to meet with Maksim and Mina today. I’ll sign over the majority stake in the port shares. I’ll give them what they wanted. And in return, I’ll ask for one thing: leave Lira alone.

They’ll pretend to agree.