“Finally. When you call a meeting, you are not supposed to make us wait,” Leone Bellini says in aggravation.
“Although, it seems like Bastiano may have found trouble on his way. Whose blood are you wearing?” Franco Garza says teasingly.
“Enough,”Massimo Pisano, the unofficial leader of the commission, growls. “Let’s get to this. I have things to do.”
“Thank you all for gathering,” I start. “There have been constant attacks for a while now. Some of these attacks were internal, while it has been brought to my attention that one of these attacks was from another family. The Rossis to be exact.”
“That’s absurd. We have no reason to come after you, Catalini.” Sal Rossi scoffs.
“So, you’re saying this attack was not sanctioned?” I ask, building my case for immunity.
“If there was an attack, it was not sanctioned by myself or my family. We have a working relationship. Why would I burn that?”
“Good question. Still, the proof is in the photos.” I pull out a manila envelope from the pocket inside of my suit jacket and throw it on the table in front of him. “These photos show Kevin and Karrisa, my sister, plotting against the Catalini family with Fillipo, whom we already have established has been attacking my family.”
“Photos do not prove anything. You will have to have more than this if you want what I think you want,” Massimo states.
“I’m glad you said that. Along with the photos, we have video and audio proof.” I take the flash drive out of my pocket and slide it across to Massimo. “This should be everything you need to absolve me of my crimes.”
“Crimes?” Massimo asks.
“The blood I wear is that of Kevin and Karrisa Rossi. I eliminated them prior to my arrival tonight. While I know this was not approved prior to the act, it was a necessity. Had it been someone in my family, which I feel like it was as it was my own blood who committed the crime, I would not have blinked at allowing any one of you to take them out. There are few laws we abide by, and one of those is conspiring to murder another don and/or anyone in his immediate family. This crime is more serious than the crime I committed in my eyes. I will no longer be viewed as weak. I am the head of my family, not some child playing don. From this point forward, I will no longer be questioned, nor will you bully me into decisions against what I believe in. For now, it is your decision. What shall my punishment be?”
I sit back and watch as everyone speaks at once. I wasn’t lying to Sofia. I will walk out of this room back to her. I only hope it won’t be through the blood of the men sitting before me.
Sofia
I pace the empty room Lo brought me into as soon as Bash disappeared from sight. I protested, but ultimately, I knew he was right. Standing in the hall wasn’t safe. We all knew what the plan was for tonight. Not that this room was much safer—an empty office down the hall from the conference room. I refused to allow Lo to lead me any further.
A knock on the door causes me to pause. Lo opens it to find a foot soldier on the other side. He takes the bag from his hand before closing the door again.
“The bathroom is through that door. Go clean up. Isabella put a change of clothes in there for you as well.” He hands me the bag before nudging me toward the door.
“No. How can I do anything when, for all we know, he could already be dead?” A brief flicker of emotion flashes in Lo’s eyes before he hardens again.
“He won’t die. Bash is the strongest man I know. He’s smart and cunning. You know that if anyone could make it out of this alive, it will be him. He would never leave you alone in this world. Now go clean up and change. Be the queen he needs.”
His sharp, harsh words have the desired effect. I throw a sneer at him but do as he says. He’s right. I need to be strong now. Not only for Bash, but for our family, friends, and our people. I may not have always been a part of this world, but they accepted me as one of their own. I hear the whispers they say about me.
Beautiful. Humble. Kind. Fierce. Loyal.
Words that bring a tear to my eye. I never thought I would find a place where I belong. A man who holds my heart in his hand and protects it with his life. A family who would do anything for one another.
I steel myself against the tears threatening to fall down my face. I can lose it later. Right now, I need to stay strong. I need to be Sofia Catalini, queen of the Catalini empire.
After my internal pep talk, I get to work cleaning up. I peel off my blood-soaked dress as carefully as I can. Then I place it inside the empty bag my change of clothes came in. I use the sink to clean up, washing the blood from my skin. Once mostly clean, I use a small hand towel to dry myself before slipping into the new dress. The dress is black and floor length with long sleeves and covers my back and clavicle as well. It’s the most conservative dress I’ve worn since moving to New York, but I can see why Izzy picked it. It hides most of my skin, meaning any blood I missed will be hidden.
Finally put back together, I exit the bathroom and find Lo on the phone, leaning against the desk.
“I should go,mio piccolo angelo. Yeah, I will tell her. I love you too.” He hangs up before turning to me.
“How is she doing?” I lean against the desk next to him.
“As good as she can. She wants to be here but understands why we didn’t want her here. She’s worried about all of us. I think she’s still slightly hormonal.” He shrugs like it is no big deal.
I let out a chuckle, and by the small smile on his lips, that was what he was hoping for. “Don’t let her hear you say that. You might lose a ball or two.”
“Nah, she loves my balls.”
