Chapter 16: The Second Son

I did not step back.

The gun was a black automatic with a worn grip, and it was steady in his hand.

"Dario played it for me," I said. "In my hotel suite."

"What was on it?"

"Your father saying it was never Ruggero who sold me. Then a woman asking who he was talking to."

"Whose voice?"

"You know whose."

Behind me, Dario made a small sound.

The second son's eyes went to him and came back.

"Bianca asked me about that voicemail this afternoon," he said.

"She asked it very kindly. She wanted to know who else had heard it."

"What did you say?"

"That I didn't know what she meant."

He did not lower the gun.

"Cesare told me to stand on this landing tonight. Anyone who comes up from the Lombardi side, I stop."

"And Bianca?"

"She came by an hour later. She said you'd be bringing men for the phone with Dad's voicemail, and for the boys."

"She lied."

"She always sounds like she's telling the truth."

"I know that better than you do."

"Do you?"

His voice was low and slow.

I realized I had never heard him say this many words at once.

"I was thirteen. You were there at breakfast, and then you weren't. I don't know you. I know what I was told."

"I know," I said.

"So why shouldn't I put you on the floor and call Cesare?"

I looked at the barrel.

My mouth was dry, but my hands were quiet.