Of volume lineage

I shifted on my feet, not liking the sensation of my stomach turning. “No harm will come to you tonight, Isabella.”

“Provided I do everything you tell me?” She hissed.

“No. This night will be an anomaly in our marriage.” I leaned closer, watching her pupils grow wider. “Tonight, you are free to make any decision you want. But know that this decision will alter the rest of our lives together…for better or for worse.”

She took a deep breath.

“Do I make myself clear, Isabella?”

Isabella narrowed her eyes, pulling up her shoulders. “What’s the decision?”

“You’ll see.” I rose back to my feet, offering her a hand.

To no one’s surprise, she completely ignored it and scrambled to her feet. She made an effort to brush the dirt off her dressing gown, before drawing herself up to her full height. Isabella often wore dark and expensive outfits with nosebleed heels to accentuate her strength and majesty, but she needn’t have bothered. Dirty and in her pyjamas, the power and regalness she emanated was undeniable.

Obviously, Vitale and Maria had never taken the time to teach Junior the same stance.

I gestured her forward with a hand, and she joined me by my side as I led her through the labyrinth of shipping containers. Her eyes darted around nervously but she didn’t flinch or shudder, didn’t scream or beg for mercy.

When we reached the crate, I held the door open for her. Isabella let out a gasp when she saw her brother but didn’t resist when I pushed her forward and into the darkness. I left the doors open so my men could watch.

“Junior!” She dashed to his side, grasping his cheeks. “Junior, are you okay? Oh God.” Her head snapped to me, eyes blazing. “What did you do to him?”

“I only subjected him to some enhanced interrogation techniques to find out the location of your father.”

“And did you?”

“I did. Your father is in E

“Where our family is from.” She glanced back to her brother. An emotion I hadn’t seen on Isabella’s face before transformed her features. Disappointed. She was disappointed with her brother for succumbing to torture. “It’s okay, Junior. I would’ve told him too.” Her tone didn’t sound so certain.

“We found Junior at a Lo Duca residence,” I said. “Adriano and Jolanda both claimed not to know.”

“They wouldn’t. Valentino had lots of secret residences.”

I inclined my head.

Isabella’s eyes continued to roam over Junior, her hands delicately stroking his face and hair. His eyelids struggled to open but he did manage to breathe, “Izzy.”

“It’s okay, Junior. I’m here.”

“Izzy…run…go to E

The nickname a

Isabella wasn’t looking at her brother. She was looking at me. “What are you going to do to him?”

“It’s not what I’m going to do.” I stepped back, revealing the table of weapons to her. “It’s what you’re going to do.”

Her face dropped. “I’m not killing my brother.”

“I am giving you a chance, Isabella, to become a Vigliano, to become a mafiosa. Consider this your induction. Prove your loyalty and give me your Omertà.” I plucked a knife off the table and held it out to her. “What will it be, Isabella? Lombardi or Vigliano?”