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"He was trusted by all of you." My voice is climbing now. "Every one of those men looked at Elio Mancini and decided he was the person they trusted to protect Vittoria, and now you're telling me he was⁠—"

I can't finish.

"He was also your lover."

I look up.

His face doesn't change.

"That has nothing to do with this."

"Doesn't it?"

"No." I push away from the wall. "It doesn't. I trusted him because Vittoria trusted him. Because your cousins trusted him. Because every one of you let him into your lives. If he was safe enough for her, then⁠—"

"Amanda."

"Don't say my name like that."

His jaw tightens.

"I slept with him, yes, but that doesn't mean I knew what he was. It doesn't mean I knew anything."

Valentino takes another step. "This isn't a surprise."

"What isn't?"

"Trust in our world isn't as simple as it looks."

"Don't talk to me like I'm stupid."

"I'm not."

"You are. You're standing there telling me I should have known. That Vittoria should have known. That Bruno should have known⁠—"

"I'm telling you it happens."

"Not to her."

"Yes. To her."

I shake my head. "No. Not to your family." My voice cracks. "I've known Vittoria for years. I've eaten at her mother's table. I've slept in that house. Aria loves me." The next words come out softer. "They taught me what a family is supposed to look like." Valentino doesn't interrupt. "Bruno trusted Elio," I say.

"He did."

"So was Bruno wrong?"

Valentino is quiet for a moment.

"No."

The answer surprises me.

"Elio was loyal. For years he was loyal. Then someone reached him."

My eyes burn.

"Then what hope do the rest of us have?"