Tomorrow might be my wedding day, but it doesn't have to be my surrender.
CHAPTER 31
Dante
The weapons cacheat the safehouse is impressive—enough firepower to take down a small army. Which, considering we're about to storm an Irish stronghold, might be exactly what we need.
I'm checking the magazine on my Glock when Elena slides up beside me, selecting a rifle with casual expertise.
"This one's got good range," she says, running her hands along the barrel. "Perfect for rooftop work."
Marco, organizing ammunition at the table behind us, glances up. "You sure you remember how to use that thing? It's been a while since you've done any real shooting."
Elena turns, giving him a smile that's all teeth and danger. "Some skills you never forget, handsome. Like riding a bike. Or putting a bullet between someone's eyes from three hundred yards."
Marco's jaw ticks slightly, but he keeps his expression neutral. "Good to know."
"Besides," Elena continues, moving closer to him under the pretense of reaching for more ammo, "I've been practicing.You'd be surprised what a girl can accomplish when she's given so much free time."
"Elena," Gianna warns from where she's adjusting her earpiece, but there's amusement in her voice.
"What? I'm just saying Marco looks like he could use someone to watch his six. All that responsibility must get... lonely."
This time Marco actually clears his throat, focusing intently on the map spread across the table. "Right. So. The plan."
I shake my head, grinning despite everything. Leave it to Elena to find time to flirt while we're planning a rescue mission.
"Elena takes the northeast rooftop," Marco continues, his voice strictly professional now. "Best sightlines to both the main entrance and the side exit. I'll coordinate the perimeter team—we'll have the cathedral surrounded, but stay back until Dante gives the signal."
"And I play the dutiful bridesmaid," Gianna adds, checking her concealed weapon. "Get inside, assess the situation, try to stay close to Sofia."
"Wait." I look up from my gun. "Vito's really okay with all this? With you going undercover?"
The three of them exchange glances, and I catch something in their expressions—like they know something I don't.
"About that," Marco starts, but he's interrupted by a knock at the door.
"That'll be him now," Elena murmurs.
Vito enters, and immediately the temperature in the room seems to drop. Not from anger this time, but from something heavier. The weight of unspoken words, of decisions that can't be undone.
Marco straightens. "Boss."
"Give us a minute," Vito says quietly.
The others file out without argument, Elena patting my shoulder as she passes. "Don't kill each other," she whispers. "We need you both for this."
When the door closes, silence stretches between us. Vito looks older than I've ever seen him, the lines around his eyes deeper, his shoulders carrying a burden I'm only beginning to understand.
"You still think I'm wrong," he says finally.
"I think you were scared." The words come out softer than I intended. "And when you're scared, you make decisions based on keeping the family safe instead of keeping the family whole."
Vito's mouth quirks slightly. "When did you get so wise?"
"Learned from the best. Eventually."
He moves to the window, staring out at the trees. "Rina tore me apart last night. After you left. Told me exactly what kind of man I was becoming." His voice drops. "She was right."
