Page 65 of Blood Vows

“I know,” Luca said.

“How old would your grandfather have been back then?” Dante asked.

“He would have been around sixty-three,” Luca said.

“Could it be him?” Dante asked.

“Yes.” Elena wrapped her arms around herself. Four families and one empire—something created before she was born. Something important enough that her father had spent the rest of his life hiding pieces of it.

“Luca,” she said.

“I'm here,” he finally breathed.

“Did your grandfather know my father?” she asked.

“I don't know,” Luca said.

“That's bullshit,” Elena shouted. Dante shot her a look, but she ignored him. “My father is standing beside a man wearing your family’s ring. Don't tell me nobody knew about it.”

“I said I didn't know,” Luca said. That stopped her, allowing Luca to continue. “My grandfather died when I was sixteen. My father never talked about his business beyond what I needed to know.”

Dante frowned. “That's unusual.”

“Yes, it was,” Luca agreed.

“Why do you think he did that?” Dante asked.

“I always assumed it was because my grandfather handled the old alliances differently than my father,” Luca said.

Elena looked at Dante. “Old alliances.”

Dante caught it too. “What alliances?” he asked.

“I don't know,” Luca said. “That’s what my father called them whenever I’d ask. He said that his father had a certain way that he handled the family’s alliances, and they didn’t match up with my father’s ways. I knew not to ask many questions, so I didn’t.”

“Find out what alliances your grandfather handled,” Dante ordered.

“I will,” Luca agreed. “I’ll be in touch when I know more,” he promised, ending the call.

Elena stared at the phone. “Your families are terrible at communication.”

Dante almost smiled. “So is yours,” he countered.

“That’s a fair assessment,” she said. “In fact, my family’s secrets might just trump all of yours.” His phone buzzed again with a message. Dante read it and then frowned. “What now?” she asked.

“It’s from Marco,” he said. Holding up his phone so she could see the message.

Found Vale. Call me.

Dante called immediately, and Marco answered on the first ring.

“You alone?” Marco asked.

Dante snorted and glanced at Elena. “No, I’m with Elena.”

“Good,” Marco breathed.

“Where’s Vale?” Dante asked, getting right to business.