Page 173 of Lorenzo

She may insist on distance.

Professional boundaries.

No more nights at her house. No more mornings in her kitchen. No more sitting across from her while she opens up and reveals pieces of herself she has kept buried for years.

The thought bothers me enough that I delayed a conversation we need to have for the sake of my family.

I lean back and look toward the darkened screen at the front of the room.

There is only one time in my life personal concerns have ever interfered with family business.

It was in the weeks leading up to Gemma’s death. Nothing before and after that. Ever.

Raising Edoardo and Alessio did not hinder my responsibilities. Grief, exhaustion, fear—none of it changed what the family required from me.

In fact, all the responsibility helped me. It gave me less time to sit and wallow.

But now, I've allowed Donna to interfere.

The realization does not sit well with me.

Worse, because this is not merely business.

This is about my son.

Someone studied his movements, used Rachel’s obsession with Genevieve, altered the hotel footage, and moved a dead woman’s body into a room where Alessio had been.

Rachel did not build that plan alone.

Whoever helped her is still free.

Still hidden.

Still has bad intentions toward us.

My hesitation has given them time.

I stand and collect my phone from the table.

Whatever Donna decides about us, the investigation cannot wait.

If she ends what has started between us, I will deal with it.

If she demands boundaries, I will respect them.

If she refuses the work… I cannot allow her to.

The family needs her.

And the people who targeted Alessio need to be found before they make another move.

I leave the conference room with my phone already in my hand.

I have to speak to Donna today.

Chapter Twenty Two

Donna