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Wilks ran a hand along his jaw, and I waited for his answer with bated breath. He was the one who knew how truly dangerous this would be.
Jenn only knew I was a De Luca. She didn’t know I was the daughter of their last boss.
Wilks nodded. “You need to go.”
The coffin of my heart shut—sealed and padlocked—and I knew irrevocably that I would never return to the bureau.
Never.
I nodded.
“I’ll go.” Sliding back the chair, I slid my jacket on and addressed everyone. “I have to go. Funeral arrangements.”
Halfway to the door, I heard footsteps chasing me and paused as they caught up. I turned to face Jenn.
She looked so different in the dim light. Or maybe she’d changed so much these past few months, I hardly recognized her. She felt like a stranger.
Or maybe it’s you who’s changed.
When Jenn opened her mouth, I braced myself for her words.
“I see that look in your eyes Ariana. You care about them. You’re in too deep. You’re questioning everything you’ve been taught and all your morals. You’re going to spiral, Ari. I’ve seen it happen to dozens of agents before you. There’s that look they all get in their eyes when they question the point of all this, and you have it.” She placed a hand on my wrist. “You need to remember what side you’re on. You need to remember the greater good.”
I faked a smile and wrapped my arms around her in a hug. Probably the last hug I’d ever give her.
There was no greater good.
The worst part of lying to someone who is worth the truth isn’t the guilt. It’s the knowledge—the bone-deep premonition—the lies will cost you everything.
Before the funeral, I shared a car ride alone with Bastian. My last opportunity to come clean before I met my brother for the first time.
I could tell him about my cover.
I could tell him I was Angelo De Luca’s secret daughter.
I didn’t.
I had too much to lose.
Fear led my path to destruction.
We were here, we were in love, and it wasn’t enough.
Bastian pressed a kiss to my temple after he helped me out of the car. “I have to give a speech. Tessie will find you and sit next to you. Will you be okay?”
I nodded as we stepped inside the church together for the viewing. “I’ll be fine. Don’t even worry about me.”
I watched as he made his way to the first pew, in front of Vince’s open casket. He’d been killed by a single bullet to the heart.
An instant, painless death.
A mercy killing, Bastian had explained to me, like there was some mafia code of conduct.
My pulse sped up as he left, leaving me alone with the wolves. I’d never met my half-brother before, but I’d stared at his thin file more often than I should have.
He’d dethroned Angelo De Luca, our father, and taken over the De Luca syndicate. From what I’d read, he’d done a good job. Which probably meant he was ruthless.
I had to force my shoulders back and my head high as I took a seat at a pew.
