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“Fine.” I sigh, turning to leave. “When you’re ready to talk - come and find me.”

My heart is heavy as I leave the office. What I don’t expect is to walk right into Santino just a short way down the hall.

He snarls and pins me against the wall, his forearm pressed against my throat. If I called out, Giovanni would hear me, but somehow I don’t think it would do me any good.

“What the hell are you doing?” I gasp in shock, trying to push him away from me.

“I’m watching you, Zina. You might have my father fooled, but you haven’t fooled me. I know that the greatest betrayals come from within.”

He steps back, his eyes piercing into me like two swords aimed at my heart.

“What are you talking about?” I snap angrily.

He pulls his mouth tight, then turns to walk away and I’m left in shock and confusion again.The greatest betrayals come from within.

Something’s happened - and Santino thinks I’m responsible - and by the way Giovanni is treating me - so does he.

This is another reminder than Giovanni doesn’t trust me, and it hurts.

Watching Santino walk away I stay where I am, my back against the wall, my heart aching - wondering how I can show them that I’m on their side.

Whatever’s happened has triggered Giovanni to increase security.

The bomb at the wedding.

It must be something similar.

He’s worried, because they haven’t backed down.He’s preparing for an attack on the estate. And he thinks it has something to do with me.

My eyes drift down the passage towards Giovanni’s office. The intense longing to go back in there and hold him is a sharp pain in my chest. But he won’t let me. He’s pulled back, assuming that I am the one he needs to protect his family from.

I’ll prove to all of them that I’m going to fight by their side. I’ll do it - no matter what it takes.

I’ll become someone they need, someone they value - I’ll do what it takes to prove that I’m here for them.

* * *

That night at dinner, everyone is silent, and the tension is palpable. It’s heavy in the air.

Santino and Giovanni are both watching me closely.

The dinner is incredible; rich lamb stew with jasmine rice and sweet apricot jam, but it hardly brings me satisfaction. I’m struggling to find enjoyment in anything without the reassurance that Giovanni still loves me.

When Fabio walks into the room, everyone turns to look at him. He goes straight to Giovanni, leaning close to whisper something in his ear, everyone is frozen, tense with their locked onto to Giovanni, waiting for answers.

Giovanni’s jaw sets like stone and he presses his fingers into his temple.

Fabio leaves.

We are all still staring at him, waiting. My heart is beating fast.

He stands up and leaves the dinner table without a word.

Santino runs after him.

I sit for a moment, wondering whether to interfere or stay out of the way, but in the end, I follow.

“What’s going on?” Guido asks.

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