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I was glad when the funeral was over Theto discuss the rising threat of the Russians In our world there wasn’t tio and New York needed to figure out a way to stop the Bratva before another Capo lost his life And that would be either Luca, or Dante Cavallaro

Luca wanted me out of New York, so he sent me to the Vitiello mansion in the Hamptons Gianna, Lily and Fabi were allowed to accoo to Father hoped I would talk soe with Matteo The engage of Nove to come to terms with it Mother stayed with Father in Manhattan, but they sent Umberto with us He, Cesare and Romero were supposed to keep us safe

We arrived at the mansion around dinnertime and the staff had already prepared a meal for us My heart swelled with happiness as Lily, Fabi, Gianna and I settled around the long dining table, but it was diuards discussed the Russian threat in hushed voices and by Gianna’s refusal to eat more than two bites I didn’t want to discuss her betrothal to Matteo with everyone there Later when they’d gone to bed, Gianna and I would have enough time for that

Fabi was the only one who kept the conversation on our side of the table going as he told iven hilances at Ro

After dinner, we ht sky out here twinkled with stars In New York you rarely got a glione off to do God knohat, probably check the security syste roo our conversation Fabi lay curled up beside Lily, fast asleep, while she was typing so out Romero occasionally

“Do you want to talk?” I whispered to Gianna who sat beside ainst her chest She shook her head It felt as if a rift had grown between us since she’d gotten the news about her betrothal and I didn’t knohy “Gianna, please”

“There’s nothing to talk about”

“Maybe it’s not as bad as you think” She gave“When I found out I had to marry Luca, I was terrified, but I’ve co better than I thought possible”

Gianna glared “I’er to please hi he says I’m not like that I won’t submit to anyone”

I flinched Gianna had never lashed out at me like that

She jumped up I tried to catch her arm but she shook ht now” She whirled around and stormed off toward the beach I stood, unsure if I should follow her, but I knew she wouldn’t listen to me when she was like that Uive her a few minutes to herself She’s upset”

Umberto nodded, then his eyes darted to Fabi “I should take him to bed”

I was about to nod when an ear-splitting alarm broke the silence, but it stopped a few seconds later Fabi’s eyes ide as he clung to Lily, both were looking aton Rouns drahen a red dot appeared on Umberto’s forehead I cried out but it was too late There was a shot and U everywhere Lily started screa, and I still couldn’t move I stared at the dead eyes of Umberto A man I’d known all my life