Page 63 of Of Oaths and Secrets

I stand and adjust my jacket, following him to his office. I could’ve gone in alone—nobody would dare stop me—but I don’t want to undermine him despite his reckless behavior.

“Where were you? I don’t like being kept waiting.”

Leo stiffens as we head up the stairs. I’m already anticipating the lie that’s about to spill from his lips. “I was busy with stock things.”

“I see.”

Once inside his office, I take a seat on the sofa near the door as Leo moves to the bar and pours himself a glass of scotch. His hand is shaking slightly, and I don’t miss it.

“So, you’re here for the investigation,” he says, his voice tense.

I nod. “I am. I need to keep up the charade.” I sigh, leaning back.

“Will…” He clears his throat. “Is there anything to find?” He downs his first glass in one go and immediately pours himself another.

“No. I’m nothing if not thorough. If you did your part right, everything will be fine. This isn’t my first rodeo.”

He winces, nodding, and drinks his second glass, then reaches for the bottle again.

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” I ask, my tone low.

His hand hovers over the bottle, and he looks at me, a haunted expression moving across his face. “You know what it smells like when a body is dissolving?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I still smell it, Rafaele. Everywhere I go, whatever I do… I smell it.” He raises his arm, sniffing his sleeve. “I feel like it’s on me… like it’s soaked into my skin.”

“You get used to it.” I surprise myself by offering reassurance. Nora’s softening influence on me is undeniable, though I’m not sure I like it in this moment.

“But that’s the thing—I don’twantto get used to it!” he snaps, his voice rising, raw with frustration. “I don’t want this!”

Here we go again, another one of Leo’s tantrums. I lean forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “Then stop fucking up, and you won’t have any messes to clean. Do you know how many people I’ve killed, maimed, and tortured to protect you, to save your ass over the years, little brother?”

I shake my head, the frustration creeping into my voice. “No, you don’t because you don’t care. You want the glory, the power, but none of the grim reality that comes with it. And that’s fine—up to a point. I’m happy to shield you as much as I can, but I need you to keep your head down.”

I stand up, towering over him now. “I can’t protect you forever, Leo. I thought you’d learn, but I realize now you never will if I keep protecting you the way I do.”

Leo’s grip tightens around the bottle, his knuckles turning white, his eyes wild with a mixture of anger and fear. “Rafa… I don’t want this,” he whispers, his voice cracking. For a moment, I see the scared boy he used to be, hiding behind all that bravado.

“I know,” I say quietly, “but this is the life you chose. Father gave you an out when you turned eighteen, and you didn’t take it. That’s more consideration than he ever gave me.”

He lets out a humorless laugh. “You wouldn’t have walked away either, sottocapo. You’re good at what you do—you like it too much. And why did I stay?” He shrugs, his voice bitter. “What choice did I have?”

I sigh, glancing at my watch. A few more minutes, and I’ll have been here long enough for my father’s spies to report that I’m doing the investigation as expected.

“Keep your head down for now,” I tell him firmly. “Deal with your club. Don’t fuck with other organizations. And if you want something, come tomefirst. I’ll handle it.”

Leo looks up at me, a sad, resigned smile on his face. “Even against your father?”

I glance up at the ceiling, silently begging God for more patience with this boy. “What do you think I’ve been doing all these years?” I mutter.

“One day, you’ll be the capo,” he says quietly.

I don’t respond. We both know what’s expected of me. Instead, I take a step closer, my voice lowering to a cold, controlled edge. “Don’t mistake my loyalty to our blood for weakness. If your actions bring harm to me or my family, I won’t hesitate. I will kill you.” I would kill for Nora, of course I will, and it’s time for me to admit it to myself and to my brother.

Leo’s eyes widen, the gravity of my words sinking in. He swallows hard, his grip loosening on the bottle. “I get it, Rafa. I won’t fuck up again.”

I don’t respond, giving him one final, hard look before turning toward the door. The severity of our conversation weighs on me, but I don’t let it slow me down. I’ve said what needed to be said, and now it’s up to him to make his choices.

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