na

elevator down to

lled server exhaust. I find Lorenzo in his office, bent over a stack of documents. As I enter, he

zo," I say, my vo

lters. "Elen

t lie

shoulders slumping as the silenc

es out of him

Her name is Serena. I recall Cassio mentioning a "Serena" a few months ago, a new secretary. I had been too

from Lorenzo, on

deliver painkillers to her apartment when she has cramps. A sharp, bitter sensation crawls up my throat. I remember the time I was running a high feve

s to explain, his tone pleading. "She's a civ

at her like she's something fragile he needs to save

how the Don twists his betrayal into a perverse narrative-one where I am the unbre

s," I tell Lorenzo, my tone

le

a word of this to Cass

t room. Then, he nods slowly and swears his compliance. But his eyes hold something

fluorescent lights, his silence followi