Page 128 of Iron Roses

“I think I lost your phone.”

Allegra lets out a breath between a laugh and a cough. We all look at the flames.

“You forgot to put out the fire, you fool,” Lorenzo snaps but he has a smirk on his face.

The roof groans. Embers drift high into the pale morning sky.

“Ashes,” Elaria says quietly. “They mean new beginnings.”

I glance at her. Her profile glows gold in the sunrise.

I nod.

She doesn’t look away from the fire.

Beside her, Giovanna stands once more—shoulders square, arms crossed lightly over her chest, like she’s watching something end the way it was always meant to.

We all face forward. The flames rise.

And no one turns away.

Epilogue – Elaria

The table is old oak. Polished till it gleams.

Allegra sits to my right, legs crossed, her heels planted. One finger swipes across the iPad screen while the other hand curls under the tablet, steady. She's wearing slate-grey—subtle, tactical. Her earrings glint, a quiet warning.

I am seated at a table with twelve men. Italian families who run in my turf.

“House Albinari,” she says, voice low but clear. “Up to date. Funds cleared. Inventory matches.”

The man across from her nods, his hands folding in front of him.

“House Ferretti,” she continues, without looking up. “No discrepancies. Confirmed.”

Another nod. Slower. Grateful.

I lean back slightly, one hand resting against the arm of the chair, the other wrapped loosely around a pen. Not for notes.

The pen is matte black. Weighted. A gift from Cassian, though he didn’t say so. I found it resting on my desk. I’ve used it ever since.

Allegra pauses. Her mouth draws tighter.

“House Mondelli,” she says.

The man in question adjusts his collar. He’s young—not green, but not smart enough to hide tension. His records scroll across Allegra’s screen. The numbers are close. But not clean.

Allegra narrows her eyes. “Quarter four delivery claims don’t match port records.”

He blinks. Leans forward slightly. “That—there must’ve been a logging error. I’ll—”

I lift my hand a centimeter. Allegra goes silent.

The pen turns once between my fingers. I don’t look at him. Not yet. I tap the pen once against the table, letting the sound land.

He exhales through his nose.

Then, under his breath, not meant to carry—

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