"That is the deal I am making with the universe in your study, Mr. Stavros. I am making the deal out loud because I want a witness."
"You have a witness."
"Good."
He smiles.
His eyes have the dawn.
"Make him laugh, Ms. Ferraro."
"I will."
"And Ms. Ferraro."
"Yes."
"He has already chosen you."
"I know."
"I am very glad."
I do not speak.
I am not going to thank him. I am not going to forgive him.
He breathes.
"It is almost time. I would like to see him. I would like to die in the same room as my lost heir."
"You will."
"I would like to die with the consigliera on the floor. I had the floor planned for you. I want to apologize for the floor. The floor was the floor of a younger man. I am no longer that man. The chair is fine."
"Thank you."
He looks at the door.
"There is one more thing. His brothers. All four. They are coming together."
"Yes."
"He is bringing his brothers to the man who took him. Vittorio's sons. All four."
He closes his eyes.
"I did not plan for four. I planned for one."
"You wrote one."
"I wrote one."
"Yes."
"You raised him."
"No. I let him be raised. By Frank Donovan."
