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I lean on a sturdy mahogany leather chair, studying my cousin’s dark expression and sipping my wine. I refused any food—my stomach is still unsettled—but accepted a glass of merlot. It’s still not as good as the wine Victor keeps for me.
Royal and I have caught up on a lot of things in the past hour. Family, business, Gino’s betrayal, Stephanos’ death, and the way Victor turned his gang. We’re in agreement on many things, but?—
“So you’re telling me I have to accept this murderer into my family?”
“Yes.” I toy with the sword charm on my necklace. My mother bought it to give to me when I turned thirteen, and I used to feel her presence whenever I touched it. Now, the miniature blade reminds me of Victor.
Royal shakes his head, muttering in Italian.
“He’s a useful asset. But even if he wasn’t. . .” I shrug. “I want him.” I gave up everything for vengeance. It’s time I claimed something for myself.
“If he betrays you. . .”
“He won’t. Any more than you could betray Leah.”
Royal accepts this with a growl, and I hide my smile. One day, I’ll tell him my theory on how much he and Victor are alike.
“I’ll allow it,” Royal says finally. “On one condition.” He digs in his pocket and holds up a dull silver coin. On it, a long-haired man stands with his head bowed, holding a cross. Or is it a woman holding a sword?
“You’ve offered this to me before.” I didn’t take it because I’d just met David. And because Royal was still solidifying his power base, ushering the old guard out and replacing them with new, well-trained men who wouldn’t mind taking orders from a woman. From me.
“It’s time.” He presses it into my hand. For such a small thing, it’s heavy, carrying the weight of the Regis family.
“Accepted. Although, with Gino out, there’s an extra seat.” When Victor proves himself, he’d be perfect for it.
“Don’t push it.”
I turn with a smirk. “If that’s all, then I’d like to see Victor.”
“No more disappearing,” Royal says. He’s pretending my time in captivity was by choice. Like an extended vacation. It’s probably easier for him to think of it that way. It’s not as if he didn’t do the same thing to Leah.
“No.”
Royal downs his drink in one swallow and sets the glass down. He moves around the desk to flank me but doesn’t stop me. “And I can make it official? To the Family?”
“Yes. I’m already acting as the family attorney; I might as well be in truth.” I stop and face him and let him take my face in his hands and kiss my cheeks.
“Then, consigliere, welcome home.”
“Consigliere?” Victor murmurs as we make our way to the car. Enzo is behind the wheel. Joe, Spiro, and the rest of Stephanos’ old gang are still being vetted. But eventually, they’ll be brought into the Regis regime. Another one of my acts as second in command of the Regis Family.
“Yes. He’s been wanting to make it official for a few months now. It comes with a seat at La Famiglia’s table.” Royal always took my advice before he voted. But now I have a vote of my own.
“There’s another seat free.” The one that belonged to my father and then Gino. “Royal isn’t ready to fill it, but perhaps if an outsider made himself indispensable to the Family. . .”
“Then I’m sure I can make myself useful.”
I sink into the car. It’s not that late, just after sunset, but I’m tired. Royal tried to get us to stay for dinner, threatening to unleash Leah on us, but I negotiated our escape by promising to come back in the morning for brunch.
Victor lets me rest, leaning forward to murmur directions to Enzo.
I must have dozed off because when I open my eyes, the car is pulling up outside the building that houses Victor’s penthouse. The one he originally took me to.
The first time, he carried me in. This time, I walk in of my own volition after Victor helps me from the car.
It feels like a lifetime since I’ve been here. Stephanos is gone. My mother’s been avenged. The truth about my brother is out, and he’ll be punished. And I may have lost a brother, but I gained a lover. Victor brings a handful of made men with him, along with his own unique skills.
Ultimately, La Famiglia has won.
