Page 79 of Twisted Vows

“Thinking leads to plans,” André says, taking a sip of his coffee. “And plans—when they come from you—usually lead to trouble.”

I glance at him, irritation bubbling beneath my skin. “And what exactly would you have me do, André? Sit here and smile while Sal tries to tear us apart piece by piece?”

“No one will tear apart this alliance.” His voice is fierce, just like all the men who have held theFamigliatogether over the years. “Would you like to help?”

Shocked, I press my lips together. “Hell really has frozen over.”

André exhales. “Better I make the plan than allow you to throw yourself into the fire.”

His words hit hard as I stare into my coffee. “I don’t have a death wish, André.”

“No,” he says, his tone softening. “But you have a habit of taking risks that make the rest of us sweat.”

I glance at him, and for a moment, the weight of everything hangs between us—our family, our loyalty, the fragile alliances holding it all together. André has always been the pragmatic one, the steady hand in a storm. But even he can’t hold back the tide forever.

Franco strides into the kitchen as if on cue, his coat is damp from the rain...and he’s not alone. I freeze when I see him.

“Emilio,” I say, his name sticking in my throat.

He’s bulkier than the last time I saw him, his dark eyes holding the same intensity. I haven’t seen him since he was dragged out of Franco’s office in shame.

Emilio stops a few feet away, his hands hanging loosely at his sides, his jaw tight.

“I see you’re still alive,” I say, surprised. “I thought you’d be at the bottom of the river or something.

Franco shakes his head. “We decided he could be useful.”

“But he betrayed theFamiglia.”

“No,” André says, his voice like steel. “He made a mistake. A costly one. But I gave him a choice—redemption or death. He chose redemption.” André stands and adjusts his holster. “He’s proven his loyalty. Giovanni thinks Emilio is loyal to him, but he’s feeding me everything. Every word, every move.”

“I owe theFamigliamy life,” Emilio says firmly. “That’s enough to keep me loyal.”

Franco fills a cup with coffee and drops down onto a chair. “Giovanni’s arrogance is his greatest weakness. He loves the sound of his own voice. Emilio’s been feeding him just enough to keep him talking.”

“What does this have to do with me?” I ask, crossing my arms.

André’s eyes narrow slightly. “Have you kept your acting skills sharp?”

I blink at him, momentarily caught off guard. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve been feeding Giovanni rumors since you arrived a couple of days ago,” Franco says. “He thinks you’re unhappy. Trapped. If you lean into that, he could talk.”

I stare at him, incredulous. “You want me to pretend I’m disillusioned with Maxsim and looking for a way out? He would never believe I’d turn on my husband and consider him an option.”

Emilio chuckles. “He sure as hell would. There are no limits to his delusions of grandeur.”

I shake my head, a bitter laugh escaping me. “Maxsim will kill me if he finds out.”

André’s gaze doesn’t waver. “Better alive and hated than dead and cherished.”

The words hit their mark. “And what about Maxsim?” I ask. “Doesn’t he need to know about this?”

Franco smirks faintly. “I will explain it to him afterward. Right now, this is our best chance of discovering where Sal is.”

I look between my brother and cousin, realizing this is my chance to put my money where my mouth is. “Alright. I guess I can get him talking,” I say slowly. “But if you’re wrong—if this doesn’t work—”

“Then we’re all dead,” Franco says bluntly.

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