Chapter 4: The Short List

My father opened his eyes when I took his hand.

"Gianna."

His voice was a scrape.

"Papa. I'm here."

"Where is he?"

"Who?"

"The Falcone boy." He swallowed. "Did you see him last night?"

"I saw him feed another woman my birthday cake in front of both Families."

My father closed his eyes again.

For a minute I thought he had gone back to sleep.

"I pledged you before you had a name," he said. "I'm sorry for it. Don't let anyone make you keep it."

"I already didn't keep it. I left the ring in the cake."

His fingers tightened on mine, hard.

"In front of everyone?"

"Yes."

"Say it plainly. Did you leave him, or did he leave you?"

"I did. I said it out loud."

He breathed out through his nose, slowly, and I saw something go across his face that wasn't anger.

It looked like fear.

"Ettore," he said.

"I'm here, boss."

"Take her home. Don't let her out of your sight. Don't let her sign anything. Not for my brother's boy, not for Aurelio, not for a priest."

"Papa, what's wrong?"

"I'll tell you." His eyes drifted. "There's a letter. It's in the house. Not yet."

The monitor beeped faster.

The nurse put her hand on my shoulder.

"He needs to rest, honey. That's enough."

In the hallway Ettore stood against the wall with his arms crossed.

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