Chapter 21: Not Owed

Dario's POV

Stefano's apology was still in the air when the bride took off her ring.

I watched her do it from the aisle, with Gianna's hand cold in mine.

Lidia worked the diamond over her knuckle, slowly, with four hundred people watching.

Stefano turned to her. "Lidia, do not," he said.

"Business," she said.

She walked to the champagne table beside the altar.

She picked up his full glass and dropped the ring into it.

It sank to the bottom with a small, clear sound.

"You can have it back at the year's end," she said. "When you send me home with a settlement."

Stefano's mouth opened and closed.

"I did not mean it," he said.

"You meant every word. I read them."

She lifted her veil off her head and laid it across his arm, and she walked down the aisle alone.

Nobody stopped her.

The old Mrs. Sartori sat in the front row with her hands folded.

She did not look at her grandson. She did not look at me.

She rose, took her cane, and followed the bride out of the hall.

Behind her the Commission began to talk, loudly, all at once.

I turned Gianna by the shoulders and walked her out through a side door onto the terrace over the water.

The wind off the harbor hit us both.

She put her hands on the stone rail. They were shaking now, and I could see it.

"It is over," she said.

"It is not over. The bosses still have to settle the repayment."

"I know. I mean the part where I was the only one who knew."

I stood next to her.

I had thought about this moment for six days. I had rehearsed every word.

None of them were any use.

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