a Ros

ld silence before a new

, only a digital tablet whic

the Syndicate's encrypted network, the main

was rendered in b

UTES A CAPO A

o file. The footage was raw and unsteady, fil

Luca's hand forced my fathe

ene unfolded; I saw the blur of

way, a wave of nausea

, leaning against the doorframe

?" I asked, my v

d a neglig

e hundred witnesses," she replied

lled the tablet back and sc

ds were

es were mocking my father's modest reputatio

ed his honor a

life to protect our family

ingstock of the enti

e table and handed me a

ed with Luca has been s

nger tracing the line that cruelly reminded m

written recipe book I ke

for a traitor's co

ply, a thin, wailing sou

hing the feed to a live security c

s my

she knelt on the marble floor of the lobby, begg

r doubling over, her cries tu

sperate, animal instinct to

e, slamming both hands into my

rd, the impact knocking

y grief finally tra

nting a shaking finger at her face. "What justifi

call me Do

ed, her dark eyes flash

voice a low hiss as she

w," she said, "or your father will b

s echoed through

broke Omertà!" s

ce, something i

d bride died

and agreed to confess

sigliere," I declared,

e Syndicate's own internal codes, t

y of a blood tribunal initiated withou

smile

dangerous than the docile ho

bbed the handle, stopping to l

asked, her tone thick with mockery.

handcuffs. What she got instead was a woman who had just cited Syndicate law from memory, who had demanded legal counsel like a seasoned Capo, and who had just revealed that beneath the silk wedding dress beat the he