Page 93 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“Don’t you dare insinuate anything against her,” she snaps furiously, stepping closer. “She’s been through enough.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Enough? Maybe. But somehow, I doubt that’s the full story.” I lean in, dropping my voice to a whisper that’s all the more menacing. “Sicily might be far, Aunt Maria, but there’s nowhere far enough to escape me, and I need to talk to your daughter. Have her come back here of her own free will, or I’ll take care of it in a much less pleasant manner.”

“You wouldn’t touch her,” she says, defiance lacing her tone, but there’s a glimpse of fear in her eyes. “Your father would never allow it.”

I let out a dark chuckle. “My father is no longer here to protect her or anyone else. Now, if she’s truly innocent, you have nothing to worry about. But if I find out otherwise…”

I let the threat hang, watching as Aunt Maria’s confidence falters, her hands tightening into fists. After a tense silence, she finally turns and storms out of the office, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors.

As soon as she’s gone, I pick up the phone and dial Paolo.

“I need everything on Sofia’s activities,” I say, skipping any greeting. “Every step she’s taken since leaving for Sicily. Find out where she’s staying, and make sure she’s in my office the moment her plane hits the tarmac.”

Paolo’s voice comes through, laced with mock cheerfulness. “Good morning, sunshine. Yes, I slept well, thank you for asking. And you? Oh, wait, silly me—you’re the capo, of course, you did.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, suppressing a sigh as I sink into my chair. “Paolo…”

“You’re no fun now that you’re capo.”

“I was no fun before.”

“Fair point.” He chuckles, though I can sense the tension beneath his usual humor. “I’ll have an update for you by tomorrow.”

“Thank you. I’m waiting for Leo.”

“Ah the sottocapo discussion?”

“The one and only.” I hear the beep of the monitor showing the doors of the estate opening to let in my brother’s car. “Speak of the devil.”

“But… I thought you were the devil.”

“Talk to you later, Paolo.”

I’m not even sure how to approach the discussion. Nora told me to be gentle, to let him come to me with his truth as if that was in my nature. Gentle… Well, I am with her, but that’s an anomaly, not the norm.

The door is still open from Aunt Maria’s visit and Leo comes in, standing there awkwardly.

“Come have a seat.”

He’s not his cocky self today—actually, he has not been since our father's passing, and I wonder if it’s guilt gnawing at him.

“How are you doing, Leo?” I ask him, leaning back in my seat.

“I should ask you that question.”

“Deflecting, Leonardo?”

He shifts uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor, and I let the silence stretch, choosing my words carefully—just like Nora suggested. I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk, watching his every reaction.

“You know why you’re here, don’t you?” I ask finally, keeping my tone steady, almost conversational.

His jaw tightens, and he nods, though he doesn’t look at me. “You’re announcing your team, and… you want me to know first that Paolo is your sottocapo.”

I shake my head, surprised he’d jump to that conclusion. “No, Paolo is—and always will be—my consigliere,” I say, watching as confusion crosses his face. “Leo, I want to know if you’ll be my sottocapo.”

He looks up sharply, his eyes widening with shock like he never saw it coming. “Me?” he stammers, disbelief clear in his voice. “You wantmeto be your sottocapo?”

“Yes,” I say simply. “You deserve to stand by me in this role. I know things haven’t always been easy between us, but I believe in you, Leo. I know you’re capable.”

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