Maria nods. Disappears into the pantry.
I stand in my own kitchen like a stranger, hands curled around coffee that’s gone cold, and wonder when I lost control of my own goddamn life.
The morning vanishes into paperwork I don’t read. My hand moves across documents while my mind tracks her movements.
She’s still there.
I know because I asked Pietro to confirm the perimeter check covered the east wing, and he mentioned that Mrs.Santoro was working at the desk.
Still. Hasn’t moved.
I asked Gia to check the medical supply inventory. She reported back an hour later: inventory complete, and Cassia looked tired.
“Has she been sleeping, Dante? She looks exhausted.”
I didn’t answer.
I sent Marco on an errand that took him past the study door. He came back with information I didn’t request.
“Your wife’s still in there. Hasn’t looked up once. Pretty focused.”
“You look like hell.”
Renzo’s voice cuts through the haze. We’re in my office, midday sun harsh through the windows, and I’ve been staring at the same page for twenty minutes.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not.” He drops into the chair across from my desk. Sprawls out like he owns it. “You’ve read that contract six times. Still haven’t signed it.”
The Valentino territorial agreement. Boundaries, terms, provisions I negotiated myself. I don’t remember a damn thing in them.
“Long night.”
“Mhm.” His eyes are flat. Assessing. “The new wife keeping you up?”
My teeth grind. “Drop it.”
“Can’t. Distractions get people killed.” He leans forward, elbows on knees. “Whatever happened, fix it. Or don’t. But get your head right. We’ve got enemies circling, and I need my Don functional.”
He’s not wrong. That’s what makes it worse.
“Anything else?” My voice could freeze water.
Renzo holds my stare for three long seconds. Then shrugs. Stands. Heads for the door.
“Whatever you did, she’s hiding. Might want to handle that before it becomes a problem.”
The door closes behind him.
Cazzo.
Nico appears around four.
He doesn’t knock. Just leans against the frame with that easy posture that makes everyone think he’s harmless. I know better.
“You’re somewhere else today.”
I don’t look up. “I’m working.”
