Page 41 of The One
“And their families?” Santino asks.
Tiero doesn’t answer right away, his gaze distant as he considers the situation. “Leave them for now,” he finally says, “until we get their confessions.”
“We could put them in a holding cell,” Santino suggests, hoping to cut off any potential escape routes. “Otherwise, they might slip through our fingers.”
Tiero throws Santino an icy glare, daring him to defy his orders.
Wisely, Santino just nods. “Of course, boss,” he says, his tone clipped but compliant as he turns to leave.
Waiting until he’s out of earshot, I face my brother. “Why did you hesitate? We don’t spare traitors’ families.”
“I’m not sparing them. I’m collecting more evidence.”
“Tiero, you can’t show weakness. Now more so than ever.”
His spine stiffens, and his face glazes over. Usually it’s reserved for everyone else, but I’m not intimidated.
“I’ve proven in the last few weeks how ruthless I can be.”
“Taking out our enemies is one thing, sparing a traitor’s family is another. The rules are well known for generations. You betray us and your whole family dies.
“Trust me, I’m not a fan of that rule either, but Great grandfather had good reason to put it in place. It makes our people think thrice about turning against us. Killing off a traitor is not enough of a deterrent to others. Taking out their entire family and everyone they hold dear, is.”
“Do you honestly believe you need to explain the rules to me, brother?” Tiero’s voice has turned stony and threateningly quiet.
I hold his gaze. “I know why you’re hesitating,” I say, softening my tone.
Tiero’s eyes flicker across the still empty club before coming back to mine. I look around too to make sure we can’t be overheard.
“You’re hesitating because Ella wouldn’t approve of taking out women and children. And Antonelli just had twins.”
He lets out a breath and I know I hit the nail on the head.
“It’s the only reason you let Sofia live,” I continue.
“It wasn’t the only reason,” he replies coldly. “She was leverage against Molinaro.”
“Molinaro is dead. Yet, she’s still breathing.”
Tiero pinches the bridge of his nose with one hand while rubbing his neck with the other.
“I get this is far from ideal,” I go on. “I like it as little as you do. But everyone inla famigliaknows the consequences of betraying us. If you let Antonelli’s family go, it sets a dangerous precedent.”
“I’m not letting them go. I’m delaying bringing them in,” he says through clenched teeth.
I ignore his comment. “Before Ella you would never have hesitated. But now you worry she will judge you for it, don’t you?”
“Because she will. And it will turn her away from me even more.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him she’s not here now. But he doesn’t need the reminder.
“Then we make sure she will never find out.”
“This can’t be guaranteed and you know it.”
“But we will try our damnedest. Tiero, you’d normally be the first to remind me that business is business. This has to come first over our personal lives. This affects your position as Don.
“No hesitating.”
