arm still wrapped protecti

estate." His tone allowed no argument, inflexible, with not a slive

o principles left to defend and no self-respect, no ambitions of

did no

shed a s

abitation Directive, folded it meticulou

ou my final answer in front of e

he took my flat reaction for total submission, and

hut-the Falcone family held a lavish, city-shaking mafia chris

he city's elite, corrupt politicians, and mob bosses dre

he center of the head table in matchi

eferential toasts, the act flawless, as though th

rner of the head table, alone in the

rophone and announced to the room that Gianna

rough the ballroom; guests turned to me

mmed the lights and projected a giant s

"transcendent, sacred union of spirits," even though every frame wa

the main stage, gesturing to me imperious

er side, the sleeping infant i

three hundred ruthless killers watching me-al

microphone at me, his voice bo

are you willing to welcome Miss Gianna into the Falcone estat

hind us: "She keeps her own name." Then he leaned in beside me

avy card stock into my hand, his voice barel

wn at the h

t; I let it fall, and it f

solid-gold Falcone crest from the collar of my go

f my finger. Blood had made the b

had stored in my chest into it

to the microphone stand; the sharp, ringing impact was lik

ing microphone from t

art in any so-called

od tie to me, and I wi

Enzo and Gianna's relationship, and I will

straight through the ballroom and str

e from my pocket, crushed it with my good hand, and threw the

ion, I turned and walked off

and your bodies

n, don't co