Page 157 of Brutal Heir

The door opened hesitantly, and my assistant’s head appeared. “My apologies, Signore Diamanti. There is⁠—”

“I told you I was not to be disturbed!”

“I’m sorry, but it’s⁠—”

“Sebastian,” a familiar voice interrupted, carrying an unmistakable authority.

I turned just as Barone Cavalieri stepped inside, his tailored suit as impeccable as ever, the silver streaks in his dark hair adding to his formidable presence. He ignored my assistant entirely, waving her off with a flick of his hand.

“You’ll see me,” he said, closing the door behind him with deliberate care.

“Barone, my friend,” I said, forcing a smile.

“Still ill-tempered as always, I see,” he remarked.

I gestured toward the armchairs by the conference table, but he shook his head and strode toward my desk instead.

“How have you been? How is your lovely girl, Amara?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.

“She said yes, finally,” he replied. “Although she’s refusing to be dragged off in front of Father Luca to get it all done and finished. So now I must suffer through the wedding planning.”

I chuckled. Then I hesitated. “And Gabriella?”

His expression faltered. Grief etched itself into the lines of his face, and he exhaled slowly. “She is...she is Gabbie.”

The weight of Alfonso’s death still hung heavily in the air, unspoken but present. Gabriella was the heart and soul of their family. To know how much she hurt from the loss of the man who was more family member than employee deeply wounded us all.

“Please send her my love,” I said quietly.

He nodded, brushing a piece of lint from his cuff as though the motion might distract from his pain. “I will.”

I gestured to the chair again, this time more firmly. “So, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

Barone sat down. “This is not a social call, my son. I come with unfortunate news.”

I straightened. “Yes?”

“Antonia,” he began. “She was found dead this morning.”

“Fuck,” I muttered, the curse slipping out before I could stop it.

I rose from my chair and paced toward the window.

Antonia had been a thorn in my side for months—her connection to the judge, her reckless behavior. The only reason her scandals hadn’t erupted into public chaos was the Cavalieri name shielding her because she was Matteo’s wife’s sister.

“She was pregnant."

I turned sharply. “Jesus. I don’t suppose there are any ties back to the judge?”

Barone’s face darkened. “None that can be proved. But I’m here to warn you.”

“Warn me?” I folded my arms, my shoulders tense as I leaned against the desk.

“I know what you’re planning with his unknown daughter. Benedict told me.”

“If you’re here to warn me off, you’re wasting your time,” I said coolly. “I’m not changing my mind about Sabrina.”

“He’ll kill her, Sebastian.”