phin

was a command, delivered through his consigliere. I was to be the dutiful wife, the p

immering ambition, I realized I had always been an outsider. A Vitali girl brought in for a purpose I had failed

he wal

ted by one of his youngest Capos, a man whose loyalty was still being tested. Her presence

table, looked down the long expanse of maho

rrying a weight that silenced the room

splay for the entire organization. It wasn't a

per. "She's just a tool, Sera. Nothing more." He was trying to reassure me, but i

ng control

phant smile playing on her lips. She caught Alessandro's eye, and

rrying

ed at Alessandro. The shock on his face melted away, replaced by a look of

my chair. My movement was slow, deliberate.

not loud, but it cut through

I will be form

e, his hand outstretched, but Aria, ever the actress, chose that exact moment to let out a so

whispered, h

my cold, resolute face to h

ain, he mad

pulling her into a protect

o. And I knew.