Chapter 7
Seven capos were summoned.
Four came immediately.
Two requested counsel.
One disappeared.
The missing man mattered most.
Anthony Caruso had been Valentina’s father’s closest operational lieutenant.
After the old boss died, Anthony was the first capo to kneel before Valentina publicly.
He had spent four years telling everyone Grant was loyal.
Now his phone was off.
Valentina stood at the head of the council table.
Grant sat opposite.
No restraints.
No guards touching him.
Power did not need theater.
At least not tonight.
One capo admitted taking Northline money.
Valentina’s eyes settled on him.
“For what?”
“Emergency crews.”
“Against whom?”
“No one specific.”
Grant laughed softly.
Valentina ignored him.
The capo continued.
“Five years ago, the family expected war.”
“That was five years ago.”
“Yes.”
“Why keep taking money?”
The man’s hands tightened.
“Because Grant said Northline stayed active under Adelaide’s authority.”
Adelaide’s face changed.
Grant watched her.
A faint sadness entered his expression.
Valentina saw it.
Not hatred.
Disappointment.
That mattered.
Another capo spoke.
“Grant told us your mother wanted a second line of command because she didn't trust one person holding everything.”
Valentina looked at Adelaide.
Her mother closed her eyes.
“That part is true.”
The room shifted.
Grant leaned back.
There it was.
His leverage.
Valentina’s own mother had created the philosophy he used against her.
Adelaide continued.
“But it was temporary.”
Grant’s voice came low.
“You never said that to me.”
Adelaide looked at him.
“Yes, I did.”
“No.”
His hand flattened against the table.
“You told me the family needed balance.”
“It did.”
“You told me Valentina couldn't be allowed to become another absolute ruler.”
Valentina’s eyes moved toward her mother.
Adelaide looked suddenly older.
Grant continued.
“You told me if she couldn't control herself, Northline would become permanent.”
Silence.
Adelaide’s lips parted.
Nothing came.
Valentina stared at her.
“Mom?”
Adelaide’s fingers began trembling.
Grant leaned forward.
“You want to tell her?”
Adelaide whispered:
“I was trying to keep you calm.”
Grant laughed once.
The sound had no humor.
Valentina felt the truth arriving.
Her mother had not simply given Grant emergency authority.
She had given him hope.
A promise.
Maybe not one she intended to keep.
Grant looked at Valentina.
His eyes were no longer smug.
May you like
They were wounded.
“She told me if you failed, I would take over.”
