Chapter 14
The Circle collapsed faster than Marcus predicted.
Without his money and access, nostalgia became less brave.
Two men left Bellandi completely.
Fine.
Five stayed without command.
Three apologized.
I did not require forgiveness.
Only changed behavior.
Thomas came to see Leo.
I asked Leo first.
He said no.
Thomas looked hurt.
Good.
Not because I enjoyed it.
Because elders in my family had spent too long treating younger people’s boundaries as disrespect.
“No means no.”
Thomas nodded.
Eventually.
Months later Leo changed his mind.
The meeting lasted fifteen minutes.
Thomas apologized for knowing Marcus planned to frighten Adrian and remaining silent.
Leo asked one question.
“Why didn’t you tell Uncle Dante after Dad died?”
Thomas looked at me.
Then back at Leo.
“Because I thought exposing Marcus would break the family.”
Leo stared.
“My dad was family.”
Thomas began crying.
There.
The sentence no adult had allowed himself to face.
Leo did not hug him.
Did not say it was okay.
He simply stood.
“I’m done.”
We left.
Outside, he breathed deeply.
“You okay?”
“No.”
Good answer.
We drove home.
Later, Lily made him help build a cardboard stable.
Life refused to remain one emotion.
That helped.
At bedtime, Leo told me:
“I don’t want to be boss someday.”
I laughed.
“Good.”
He frowned.
“That easy?”
“Yes.”
“What if everyone expects?”
“They’ll survive.”
His shoulders relaxed.
Another chain removed.
Marcus wanted Leo shaped as alternate heir.
I wanted him to become Leo.
Whatever that meant.
Boxer.
Trainer.
Accountant.
Nothing related to Bellandi.
Choice first.
May you like
Family second.
Organization somewhere after that.
