Page 4 of Code Name: Grit

“I know,” I said quickly.

“He’s not just an underboss anymore,” my mother continued.

“Things are different for us too,” I insisted. “K19 isn’t like regular law enforcement. They can’t be bought or corrupted the same way.”

“No one is incorruptible,” muttered Summer.

A knock made us all tense. Old habits died hard.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Dragon stood in the doorway. “But we could use your insight on new intel we received about Belcastro’s money laundering operations.”

“We’ll continue this discussion later,” my mother said as I followed Dragon out of the room.

“These shell companies,” I said, pointing to a complex network on the display, “they’re not just for hiding assets. They form a coordinated system.”

“So targeting just one operation won’t cripple them,” said Tank.

“Exactly,” I confirmed. “They’ve built redundancies into everything. We need a comprehensive approach that targets multiple operations simultaneously.”

“Earth to Luminous.”Dragon’s voice broke through my thoughts when Tank left us alone for a few minutes to confer with Admiral. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Watching him when you think no one will notice.” Her smirk made me laugh despite myself. “Not that I blame you. If I didn’t have a strict ‘no workplace romance’ rule…”

“It’s not like that,” I protested, though we both knew better. “I’m just…”

“Analyzing the situation?” Her grin widened.

I was saved from responding when Tank motioned for us to join him as Admiral pulled up a new set of maps.

“We’ve identified four key areas of Belcastro operations, two of which correspond to recent hits on the Castellano family—protection rackets in Little Italy and the Bronx, and gambling operations in Queens. The third and fourth are money laundering through restaurants and retail businesses in all five boroughs, and smuggling through the shipping terminal.”

“A self-sustaining criminal ecosystem,” Tank said under his breath.

“Precisely,” I agreed.

“Got a minute?” asked the half brother I didn’t meet until I was in my mid-twenties yet felt like I’d known all my life.

“Of course. What’s up?”

I followed Dante a few feet away. “I’m going on record as opposed to your involvement outside of this command center.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” The set of his jaw, the way he raised his chin as if challenging me to disagree, reminded me so much of myself that I nearly laughed. “Plus, you committed to helping Lark run the new coffee house in Saratoga Springs. You can’t do both.”

“I spoke with your wife, and we agreed that, with the new baby coming, we’d scale back our plans.” His eyes softened with my mention of the pregnancy he and Lark had just announced. “That isn’t for me, Sandro. I need to do…more.”

His eyes bored into mine. “It’s my job to keep you safe, little sister, and I intend to do just that.”

I folded my arms. “I appreciate your concern. However, I’ll go on record disregarding your opposition.”

“Chiara—”

“Luminous, remember?”

He brushed my hair from my face. “I’m going to call you Lumi.”

---