Page 73 of Reckless Royalty

The Five Crowns are built on trust, and Vito’s betrayal has cracked the foundation. If we don’t act decisively, it could crumble.

The door opens before more can be said, and the boys file in one by one, their gazes flicking between us, concern and anxiety in their gazes. I don’t remember the last time a meeting was called like this.

Giovanni frowns, and I know he must be wondering why his father isn’t here.

“Take a seat,” I say, gesturing to the chairs we’ve arranged in a semi-circle. They exchange glances but comply, their movements deliberate, as if preparing themselves for whatever’s coming.

Mihai is the first to break the silence. “What’s going on?”

I glance at Declan and Dmitri, who nod their approval for me to proceed. “You’re here because there’s been a betrayal,” I say, keeping my tone even. “One that strikes at the heart of the Five Crowns.”

Their reactions are immediate. Mihai’s eyes narrow, his posture stiffening as he looks at Giovanni because he knows what’s coming. Connor shifts in his seat, his fists clenching at his sides. Nikolai’s expression hardens, and Giovanni leans forward, his brows furrowing.

“Betrayal?” Giovanni’s voice is quiet but sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade.

“Yes,” I say, meeting his gaze. “One your father orchestrated.”

The room goes deathly silent. Giovanni’s jaw tightens, and I can see the effort it takes for him to remain seated. The others glance at him warily, the tension palpable as they look at each other.

“What did the fucker do?” Giovanni asks, his voice low, barely controlled.

“Vito has been working with Alberto Giannini,” Declan starts. “Together, they orchestrated Santiago’s downfall, sending him to jail. But it doesn’t end there. Vito also played a role in Chiara’s kidnapping and the ambush on Mihai and the others with Madison.”

Giovanni’s fists clench so tightly his knuckles turn white. “Chiara’s kidnapping and—” His voice shakes with barely restrained fury. “He let her get taken?”

“Yes,” Dmitri says, his voice cold. “He knew where she’d be and when and gave that information to Giannini.”

Giovanni stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “That fucking piece of shit!” His voice rises, and for a moment, I think he might storm out. Nikolai gets up and places a hand on his shoulder, which Giovanni shrugs off.

“Giovanni,” I say, my tone steady but commanding. He stops, turning to face me. “I know this is a lot to take in, but we need you here. This isn’t just about vengeance—it’s about preserving the Five Crowns.”

He takes a deep breath, his shoulders heaving as he tries to regain control. “What’s the plan?” Giovanni asks as he sits down again.

Declan speaks again. “We’ll lure Vito into thinking we’re unaware of his betrayal. Once he’s comfortable, we’ll strike. But it has to be public. Everyone needs to see what happens to those who betray us.”

Giovanni’s jaw tightens, his voice shaking as he speaks. “When the time comes, the kill is mine.”

The room goes quiet again, the weight of his words sinking in. Dmitri stands and places a hand on Giovanni’s shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. “If you take the kill, it means you’ll take his place as Capo dei Capi sooner than expected. Are you ready for that?”

Giovanni meets Dmitri’s gaze without flinching. “I’ve been ready my whole fucking life, sir.”

Dmitri nods, his expression approving. “Then it’s yours.”

The tension eases slightly, though the gravity of the situation remains. I glance at Mihai, Nikolai, and Connor, all of whom have remained quiet, processing the implications of what they’ve just heard.

“This isn’t just about Vito,” I say, addressing all of them. “This is about protecting the integrity of the Five Crowns. If we let this slide, it sets a precedent we can’t afford. Vito’s actions have endangered us all.”

Mihai leans forward, his expression grim. “What do you need us to do?”

I feel a surge of pride at his willingness to step up, despite the personal cost. “You’ll each play a role in ensuring this goes smoothly. We’ll need eyes on Vito at all times, and when the moment comes, you’ll be the ones to make the move.”

Nikolai finally speaks. “And Giannini?”

“Once Vito is dealt with, Giannini is next,” Dmitri says. “But for now, we focus on the immediate threat.”

I look at each of them in turn, their loyalty and determination evident. We raised them well, even that fucker Vito couldn’t mold Giovanni into a carbon copy of himself.

“Good. Then let’s get to work. We’ll be in touch.”

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