The memorial was silent as we drove in. Vicenzo rode shotgun in my Porsche while the men followed in black SUVs all lined up behind us like a shadow army.
Grant kept darting glances at me from the rearview mirror every few seconds. Checking if I was okay. If I was ready to face my mother after five long years. His eyes said it without words.
"Are you sure about this Tonio?
I gripped the wheel tighter. I came because she begged me.
My mother. Cathleen.
She had called again last night after Jessica's texts stopped. Cried on the phone until her voice cracked.
"Mi vida please. Just this once. For him. For me. I hated her tears.
They cut deeper than any bullet. She was the best thing that ever happened to me.
The best mother anyone could pray for. She refused to remarry after Dad died. Put me and Megan first,always. Even when I left home right after the funeral. Swore I'd come back with the killer's head on a plate. But here I was. Empty-handed. No head.
No answers. Just rage that burned hotter every day.
Megan was my little sister. My mother's carbon copy. Beautiful with clear blue eyes and ebony wavy hair. Mom's eyes and hair exactly.
Me? I got Mom's eyes but the rest was all Dad. Same height. Same dark hair. Same smirk that could charm or kill depending on the mood.
We were just two kids. No more. Dad always said that was enough. A perfect family.
I spotted Martino's favorite car parked on the other side of the road. Black Bentley. Shiny like it was polished with blood money. His entourage cars lined up behind it. All identical. All armored. Men in suits standing on guard. Eyes scanning everything.
Everyone wore black. As expected. I parked and stepped out. Grant walked beside me. Vicenzo and the men fanned out behind.
I scanned faces through my dark shades. Some were familiar. Old allies.
Rivals turned friends for the day. Most not.
Strangers who came to pay respects or sniff for weakness. Who among them had the motive to kill my father? What for? He was the kindest, gentlest person I ever knew. Helped everyone. Never turned away a beggar or a broken man. But in our world kindness got you killed.
I slipped on my shades tighter before emotions hit. I had to stay strong. For Mom. For Megan. No cracks. No weakness.
Then I saw her. Megan ran toward me. Five years had changed her. She had grown tall. More beautiful. Curves where there used to be none.
But those blue eyes were the same. Tear-streaked now. She crashed into me. Buried her face in my shirt. Soaked it with sobs.
"Tonio," she whispered. Voice muffled. "You came. You really came."
I wrapped my arms around her. Held tight. Smelled her hair. Vanilla shampoo. Same as when she was little. "I'm here kid. I'm here."
She pulled back. Looked up. Wiped her eyes. "You look like shit. What happened to your ear?"
I touched the graze. Scabbed now. "Long story. Not today."
She nodded. Didn't push. That's Megan. Always knew when to stop.
Mom walked over slowly. Cathleen. My beautiful mother. She looked older. Lines around her eyes. Gray in her hair. But still strong.
She survived a seizure right after Dad died,and almost went comatose. Doctors said stress. Grief. We had the money to save her. Dad left enough. Plus I added more. Billions. She never touched it. She just lived simple.
She stopped in front of me. Eyes searching mine. Like she wasn't sure I'd let her close. I dragged her in. Hugged her long and hard. She melted against me. Small sobs escaped.
"My boy," she whispered. "My Antonio. Finally home."
Cameras flashed everywhere. Reporters. Phones up. Live streams going. The world didn't know the popular state attorney's mother until now.
Comments flew on screens I glimpsed. *Who's that?* *Family reunion goals.* *Hot sister alert.* I ignored it all.
Then Jessica rushed over. Almost knocked Megan aside in her hurry. Megan cursed under her breath.
"Bitch." Low enough for only me to hear. I held back a smirk. Megan hadn't changed. Still hated Jessica. Called her rich spoiled over-entitled bitchy princess from day one.
Jessica latched onto my arm. Pressed close. "Antonio baby. You okay? I was so worried after last night."
Her voice was loud. For the cameras. Attention whore.
She wanted everyone to know she was the state attorney's fiancée.
The playboy girls drooled over belonged to her. Only her. Even with my history. Women threw themselves at me. Married ones begged for a night. But I never touched married women. No matter how hot.
They were lines I didn't cross.
What was I thinking? Here? At Dad's memorial? I must be losing it.
Grant nudged me. Pointed subtle toward Martino. He stood by the grave. Beating his chest. Crying. Tears streaming. Martino? Crying? Not his style.
Hard man.
Stone cold. Cameras focused on him now. And worse, Mom comforted him. Hand on his arm. Whispering soft words.
What the hell? I didn't interrupt. If I stormed over aggressively, it would scare Mom. Sudden protectiveness from a son gone five years ago ?
No.
I watched. Sat on a bench with Jessica on my lap. She wiggled closer. Played the loving fiancée.
My earpiece buzzed low. Bugs in place. Men reported. "All clear boss. No threats yet."
I nodded slightly. Men stood alert. Ready to fire on any strange move. But I ordered no shoot on sight. Graze only. We needed leads alive. Mafia way. Interrogate. Break. Get answers.
Megan wandered off. Found Vicenzo. They talked. Close. Too close. She blushed hard at whatever he said. Laughed and touched his arm.
My brotherly instincts flared. What the fuck? Who gave that bastard the right to smile at her? To make her laugh like that? They leaned in. Heads almost touching.
I clenched fists, tried to stand. Jessica pulled me down.
"Hold your horses. Enzo won't eat her raw." She rolled her eyes. "We're pretending to be the perfect couple, remember? Smile for the cameras."
I forced a smile. Teeth grit. We looked lovely. Understanding. Bullshit.
But inside I boiled. Megan had a crush on Vicenzo back then and had tried to hide it. Followed him around like a puppy. Now? Grown woman. And him? He knew better. Hurt her? I'd kill him. Friend or not.
"Relax," Jessica whispered. Kissed my cheek. Flashbulbs popped. "She's just talking. Like old times."
"Old times?" I muttered. "She was a kid then."
Jessica laughed softly. "Not anymore. Look at her. All grown. Maybe Enzo sees it too."
I shot her a glare. "Not helping."
She shrugged. "Jealous big brother. Cute."
Grant leaned close. "Smile Tonio. Cameras."
I ditched shades,rolled my eyes in anger. But I smiled. Fake. Perfect.
Having Martino's daughter meant having Martino.
Made me untouchable. No one messed with his son-in-law. Except the coward who killed Dad. Hiding in the dark.
The weather shifted. Clouds rolled in the dark. Wind picked up. It looked like it would rain soon. Camera crews packed. People left slowly and quietly. Graveside cleared.
As the crowd thinned, someone in black caught my eye. Hood up. Face hidden,his hand rose slowly. Made the killer sign. Slit throat gesture. Toward me.
He killed Dad? Threatening me?
I blinked. Turned full. Gone. Vanished in the shuffle.
Did I imagine it? Hallucination from stress?
Nothing else happened. No shots. No fights. We came prepared for war. Got nothing.
Was the bastard a vampire? Only struck at night? Coward.
Rain started. Light drops first. Then harder.
Mom tugged my sleeve. "Come inside Tonio. Before you catch a cold."
We moved to the mausoleum. Shelter. Family only now.
Megan stuck with Vicenzo. Still talking. Laughing.
I pulled her aside. "What the hell Megan?"
She blinked innocently. "What?"
"You and him. Too close."
She crossed arms. "Jealous much? We're just talking."
"Talking? Blushing like that? He's too old for you."
She laughed. "He's your friend Tonio. And I'm twenty-three. Not a kid."
"Still my sister. He hurts you, I'll end him."
She softened. "He won't. He's... nice."
"Nice? Vicenzo? You don't know him."
"I know enough." She glanced at him. Eyes sparkly. "From back then. And now."
I sighed. "Be careful."
She hugged me quickly. "Love you big bro."
Jessica watched us. Jealous flash in her eyes. "Everything okay baby?"
"Fine." I pulled her close. For show. But my mind raced. The sign. The spy. The gold. Martino's tears. Fake? Real?
Vicenzo joined us. "Saw the gesture Tonio. Black hood. Gone before I could move."
"Not imagined then."
"No. Lead. We'll find him."
Martino approached. Wiped eyes. "Antonio, my boy. Good you came. Your father would be proud."
I nodded stiffly. "Thanks for coming, Don."
He clapped my shoulder. "Family. Always."
But his eyes. Something was off. Calculating.
Mom smiled at him. "Thank you for everything Martino. Over the years."
He bowed slightly. "Anything for Vincent's widow."
Widow. Word stung.
The rain poured now. Thunder rumbled.
The rain hammered the mausoleum roof like fists. Inside the stone walls the air felt thick with wet clothes, old grief, and unspoken secrets. Mom sat on a marble bench holding Megan's hand.
They whispered to each other. Soft words. Comfort. The kind I never learned how to give. I stood near the open doorway watching the downpour turn the cemetery paths into rivers. Jessica pressed against my side. Her perfume mixed with the smell of the rain. Sweet. Cloying. She kept stroking my arm like she owned it.
Grant hovered nearby. Earpiece quiet now. No alerts. No movement. The killer sign I saw had vanished with the crowd. Maybe hallucination. Maybe paranoia. Either way it left a sour taste.
Vicenzo leaned against the wall opposite me. Arms crossed. Burned eye patched with a black cloth he'd ripped from a spare shirt. He caught my stare. Nodded once. Silent message. We'll talk later.
Megan glanced over. Smiled small. Still flushed from whatever bullshit Vicenzo fed her earlier. My jaw tightened. I'd deal with that later too.
Martino approached slowly. Shoes clicking on wet stone. Face composed again. No more crocodile tears for the cameras. He stopped in front of me. He looked around once. Made sure no one was close enough to hear.
"Antonio. A word."
Jessica started to follow. He lifted a gloved hand.
"Alone."
She hesitated,pouted but stepped back.
"I'll wait with your mom."
He led me to the far corner. Away from the family. Away from the door. The rain was louder here. Echoing off the walls.
He pulled out his phone. The screen lit his face blue-white. Thumbed to a photo. Held it out.
"Take a look."
I leaned in.
Grainy security still. Nighttime. Martino's private vault room. Dim lights. Him standing there. Shirt half-unbuttoned. Tie loose.
A woman pressed against him. Back to camera. Long dark hair.
Red dress hugging curves. Hands on his chest. Lips on his neck. His eyes closed. Head tilted back. Lost.
Seduction.
Theft.
He swiped. Next photo. Same woman. Alone now. Gloved hands lifting gold bars into a black duffel. Face clear this time. Sharp cheekbones. Full lips. Eyes cold. Calculating.
I knew that face.
Not personally. But I'd seen her type before. The kind that smiled sweet while sliding the knife in.
"Who is she?" I asked. Voice low.
Martino pocketed the phone. "Her name is Delilah Bravo. Ex-model. Turned high-end escort. Turned… something worse. She got close six months ago. Said she wanted protection. I gave it. I thought she was harmless. A pretty distraction."
He laughed bitterly. Short.
"Women are snakes Antonio. They coil around you. Whisper sweet things. Then strike when your guard is down. She played me. Stole the gold. Documents. Everything. Left me looking like a fool."
I stared at him. Processed. The woman was his mistress.
"You're telling me this now?"
"I'm telling you because you're family. Soon official. And because this snake is still out there. She didn't run far. She's circling. Waiting for the next bite."
He leaned closer. His voice dropped.
"I have men hunting her. But she's smart. Slippery. She'll come for you next. Or Jessica. Or your mother. Or me. She knows our weaknesses. She knows how to get inside."
My pulse kicked up.
"You think she's connected to Dad's murder?"
Martino's eyes darkened. "I don't know. But the timing… the gold gone right before the memorial… the shot at you yesterday… too many pieces moving at once."
He gripped my shoulder. Hard.
"Be careful son. You're about to meet one of these snakes soon. And when you do… don't hesitate. Cut the head off before it strikes."
I nodded once.
He stepped back. Adjusted his cuff. Face blank again.
"Keep Jessica close. She's safe with you. And keep your eyes open. The memorial is over. The real war starts now."
He walked away. Back to Mom. Back to the act of grieving friend.
I stayed in the corner. Rain pounding. Mind racing.
Delilah Bravo.
Seductress. Thief. Possible killer.
A woman who turned Don Martino,the untouchable into a mark.
If she could do that to him…
What could she do to me?
Jessica appeared at my side again. Slid her arm through mine.
"Everything okay baby?"
I looked down at her. Innocent eyes. Trusting smile.
"Yeah," I lied. "Everything's fine."
But inside the pieces shifted.
Women were snakes.
Martino's words echoed.
And I had one coiled around my arm already.
Jessica.
Mom.
Megan.
Delilah Bravo out there somewhere.
The killer was still breathing.
Tomorrow I'd start hunting for real.
No more waiting.
No more pretending.
I'd find the snake.
And I'd crush it.
Before it crushed me.