Page 87 of Blood Vows

Elena covered her mouth to muffle the sounds of her sobs.

Crimson Holdings was never meant to make you rich. It was meant to keep you alive.

Her pulse pounded as she read faster.

Four families built the Crimson Empire, but only two intended to honor it. Vincenzo Hale betrayed us before you were born, and Stephen Vale helped him hide the money. I discovered the truth too late.

Elena froze. Hale’s name had a way of popping up when she least expected it to.

I tried to dissolve the Accord. I tried to return what belonged to each family. Hale would not allow it because you were the bond. As long as you lived, his claim to the empire remained valid.

Her hands shook harder. The thought of Hale having any claim to her, and the money, made her sick. Then she reached the final paragraph.

If I am dead, do not trust Vincenzo. Do not trust anyone who tells you the Camorras are your enemy. I made many mistakes, but trusting Luca Camorra’s family was not one of them.

Elena stopped and read it again, and then a third time. Her eyes dropped to the final line.

And if Dante Vitale is the man standing beside you when the truth comes out, know this—he was never supposed to know my name. What happened was my fault, not his.

The letter slipped from her fingers. Elena stared at it as it lay on the table. Dante—her father knew his name before he died. He knew enough to forgive him before Dante even understood what he had done.

There was a knock at the door. “Elena.” Dante was letting her know that her five minutes were up.

She laughed through her tears. “Come in.” The door opened, and Dante stepped inside. He saw her face, and everything about him changed.

“Elena?” She held out the letter, and he approached slowly, as if she might run from him. Or like he didn't deserve to come closer.

“Read it,” she ordered. He took the letter. She watched his eyes move across the page and watched as he reached the last paragraph. And then, she watched his face break. It wasn’t much, but then Dante Vitale didn’t break dramatically. She saw it, though. His eyes closed, his shoulders dropped, and he sat down. For the first time since she’d met him, Dante looked completely defenseless.

“He knew,” Dante whispered.

“Yes,” she breathed.

“How?” he asked.

“I don't know.”

He read it again and then looked at her. “He knew I might be the one sent after him.”

“Looks that way,” she said.

Dante stared at the letter. “Why would he forgive me?”

Elena stepped closer. “Maybe because he knew Hale was setting you up too.”

Dante shook his head. “I still pulled the trigger.”

“Yes.” She wouldn’t take that away because she couldn't. “But maybe my father understood something I’m only starting to.”

His gaze lifted. “What?”

“That being used by someone isn’t the same as choosing what they make you do.”

Dante looked at her for a long time. “Elena⁠—”

“I’m still angry,” she warned.

“I know,” he breathed.