Page 105 of Pietro
"Tonight. Eight o'clock."
I watch her mind work, see the pieces falling into place. She's brilliant and fearless and completely insane if she thinks I'm letting her anywhere near Declan.
"Tony." I draw his attention back to me. "You understand what you've done."
"Yes." He meets my eyes for the first time. "I betrayed the family. The punishment is death."
"It is."
Nora stiffens beside me, but stays quiet.
"After we get Michael back," I continue, "you and your family disappear. Chicago, the business, the life—it's over for you. You take Angela and Michael somewhere far away and never come back."
Tony blinks. "You're... you're letting me live?"
"I'm exiling you. You'll have nothing but what you can carry. No protection, no family support, no connections. You start over with nothing."
"That's more than I deserve."
"Yes, it is." I lean forward. "But that little boy doesn't deserve to pay for your choices. And the Tony who raised me, who stood for my family—he deserves a chance to make this right."
Tony breaks down completely, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. A waiter appears with coffee refills, takes one look at us, and retreats to the kitchen.
"Thank you." The words are barely audible. "Pietro, thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. We still have to get him back." I turn to Nora. "And we're not using you as bait."
"Then what's your plan?"
I don't have one, but looking at her determined face, I know she won't let this go. She sees the echo of her own situation.
Connor abandoning her, Declan hunting her. She won't let a child suffer the same isolation.
"We'll figure it out." I stand, pocketing my gun. "Tony, you go home. Act normal. I'll have someone come and pick you up later. When they call tonight, you'll tell them you have urgent intel but you're being watched. You need to meet in person."
"They won't agree?—"
"You'll make them agree. We'll find a way to push it."
Tony nods, stumbling to his feet. "Pietro, I?—"
"Go." I can't look at him, not yet. Maybe not ever again. "Before I change my mind."
He leaves, the bell chiming his exit. I sink back into the booth, suddenly exhausted.
"You did the right thing." Nora's hand covers mine.
"My father would have killed him slowly."
"You're not your father."
"No?" I meet her eyes. "Because right now I want to tear Declan apart for using a kid like this."
"That's different. That's protecting the innocent." She laces our fingers together. "Tony made a choice, even if it was under duress. Michael didn't choose anything."
"You really wanted to use yourself as bait?"
"I want that little boy safe." Her jaw sets with familiar stubbornness. "And I want Declan to pay for everything he's done."
