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laugh, unwilling to believe there’s anything that goes above Zane being murdered. I sit back in my chair, cross my legs over one another, and take on a relaxed pose. If this is solely business, I’m in. I just might as well be comfortable for whatever bullshit my father’s decided to believe in.
    “Zane, here, has been pledging for months to be part of the Dio Lavoro,” my father begins to say and I take not two moments to react.
    “You’ve got to be fucking crazy!” I screech and uncross my legs to lean forward across the desk. “He isn’t blood; he isn’t even a friend of the family. Why would you even think twice about this matter?”
    “Because he’s special to you,” my father states in response.
    “ Was ,” I promptly correct him, and my tone sinks deathly low.
    “Whatever, he is something to you and that means something to me.” He watches me as I sit back with my arms crossed over my chest; the look I’m issuing should be enough to kill. “Bambina, quit the resistance,” my father tries in vain. “He’s one of the reasons you’ve shut down. You can tell me until you’re blue in the face that he isn’t, but he is. We all know it. It’s why you came here and raised that gun to me.”
    I notice Zane’s sudden uncomfortable shift, his muttering of a swear word. I want to comfort him from the blame he’s about to unleash, but I can’t let him back in. I’m barely holding on right now; if I let him in a third time, I’ll be a goner.
    “His willingness to give up his life for us is admirable. He’s even prepared to be initiated into the family. He’s prepared to work directly with us, Amelia, and he’s not backing down without a fight. He has been here for the past three months, fighting to get a meeting.” It seems my father only needs me here for a reaction, not for input. “I finally said yes and called to get you brought home. I don’t know a lot where you’re concerned, but I know enough where he is concerned. He’s the key to you.”
    I begin to laugh and stand up. I slam my hands down onto the desk, the rings on my fingers helping to make a gloriously loud noise. I then point a finger to my father and snarl, “You’re delusional.” I stand up straight, turn to Zane, and point a finger to him, too. “And you’re a fucking moron.”
    “Amelia!” my father bellows behind me. His tone is so ferocious that I do stop and turn around obediently. “You will stay here and listen to the new plan of action for this family. You haven’t been a part of this family for months. Even long before you went to Italy.” He stands before me, angered, incensed, demonic, and I’m mesmerized to watch. “Now, quit misbehaving and listen. I know you are not in a happy place right now, but I was hoping you’d like what’s about to happen.”
    “What could I possibly like about him being in my home?” I ask, completely disregarding Zane sitting with an intent gaze situated on me. “Sorry, Sal, but you have me confused with someone who would care about him.”
    “Can you not bear to call me Papà anymore?” my father asks. I can hear the hurt play with his words, and his exterior is trying hard to hide the emotions.
    I don’t let myself take the minor silent guilt trip. “You lost that right when you failed to see how hard I hit rock bottom.” I watch a small glimmer of disappointment flash in his eyes, but it’s quickly gone. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d rather not leave Lorenzo alone with Giovanni around. Who knows what he’ll do to fresh meat,” I say my comment with a derogatory nature, aiming it at Zane as well. “I better go and see if he needs saving.”
    I turn to leave, but Zane stops me this time.
    “He’s here?” Zane asks, his tone dark.
    “Yes,” I remark, turning back. I find I’m unable to stop the snappiness to my response, and I find it even harder to stop words falling from my mouth without me even trying. “He’s here to win me over.”
    “Over