**ALESSANDRO**
The hospital smelled like bleach when we arrived. Dante stayed close, his hand on my arm like I might bolt. Maybe I would have if he wasn't there.
Nico waited outside the ICU, arms crossed. His eyes tracked Dante like a predator sizing up prey.
"You actually brought him."
"Your brother goes nowhere without me now," Dante said. "That was the deal."
"There is no deal once Father dies." Nico stepped closer. "Then it's just you and me, Moretti."
"Looking forward to it."
I pushed between them. "Can we not do this here?"
Nico's hand shot out, grabbing my jaw. "Still playing peacemaker? Some things never change." He shoved me back. "Father's asking for you. Alone."
"I'm going in with him," Dante said.
"The hell you are."
"Then Alessandro doesn't go in at all." Dante's voice was flat. "Your choice."
Nico looked like he wanted to kill us both. But our father's voice came from the room, weak and demanding. "Let them both in."
The old man looked smaller in the hospital bed, tubes running from his arms. His eyes were still sharp though, taking in Dante's protective stance beside me.
"So this is the Moretti boy." Vittorio's laugh turned into a cough. "You hate my son."
"Yes," Dante said simply.
"Good. Hate keeps you honest." He looked at me. "You told him about the three men?"
"Yes."
"And did you tell him why I made you kill them?"
I swallowed. "No."
"They were planning to bomb another bakery. Moretti territory, but civilians would've died. Women. Children." Vittorio's eyes met mine. "I gave you the choice. Kill them clean or let Nico handle it his way. You chose mercy."
Dante's hand tightened on my arm. I couldn't look at him.
"You never told me that," Dante said quietly.
"You never asked what they'd done. Only that I'd killed them."
Vittorio coughed again. "The marriage happens. Even after I'm gone. I've made sure of it in my will. If either family breaks the agreement, they lose everything to Sofia Ricci." He looked at Nico. "That includes you. So keep your vendetta to yourself."
"You're protecting him." Nico's voice was poisonous. "Even now."
"I'm protecting the family. Something you've never understood." Vittorio's breathing was labored. "Alessandro, come here."
I approached the bed. His hand gripped mine with surprising strength.
"I was a terrible father. Made you into something you never wanted to be." His eyes were unfocused. "But you're stronger than Nico. You just hide it better."
"Father-"
"The marriage will save you both. If you let it." He looked past me to Dante. "He's more than you think. Give him a chance."
"I can't," Dante said.
"Then you'll destroy each other. Is that what you want?"
The machines started beeping. Nurses rushed in. We were ushered out.
Nico disappeared somewhere. Dante and I sat in the waiting room.
"The three men," Dante said finally. "You saved civilian lives."
"I still killed them."
"Would you do it again?"
I thought about it. "Yes. If it meant protecting innocent people."
He looked at me differently then. Not softer, but something shifted.
"My sister Bianca wanted to be a teacher. She was studying child development." His voice was distant. "The day it happened, she'd just gotten her acceptance letter to grad school. She showed it to everyone at breakfast, so excited."
"Dante-"
"I need you to understand what was taken. They weren't just names. They were people." He met my eyes. "And you're a Santoro. No matter what you did or didn't do, you're one of them."
"I know."
"But you tried to save others. Even when it cost you." He stood. "That doesn't make us even. Nothing will. But it's something."
********
Vittorio died at 3 AM. Nico came out of the room with blood on his knuckles and rage in his eyes.
"He's gone. The engagement is off."
"Read the will," Dante said calmly.
The lawyer arrived at dawn. Sofia Ricci came with him. She looked at us all like pieces on a chess board.
"Vittorio was thorough. The marriage happens or both families lose their assets. Everything goes to neutral parties." She smiled. "He knew you'd try to back out, Nico. This was his insurance."
Nico threw a chair. "This is bullshit!"
"This is binding." The lawyer pushed papers forward. "The wedding proceeds as planned. Alessandro and Dante marry within three months or forfeit everything."
Marco arrived, flanked by Tommy and six soldiers. "We're here to collect Alessandro. Funeral or no funeral, he stays in our territory until the wedding."
"You're taking my brother during our mourning period?" Nico's hand moved to his gun.
"I'm taking my brother's fiancé to safety." Marco's voice was ice. "Unless you want to test our new alliance already."
Sofia stepped between them. "Gentlemen. Vittorio isn't even cold yet. Alessandro will return for the funeral. After that, he goes where Dante goes. That's the agreement."
The drive back was silent until Dante spoke.
"You could've told me. About the bombings you prevented."
"You wouldn't have believed me."
"Maybe not then. But I would now." He looked at me. "You're still a Santoro. That doesn't change. But you're not your brother."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"It's supposed to be the truth." His hand found mine briefly before pulling away. "And maybe the truth is all we have."
Something warm flickered in my chest. Dangerous and stupid, but there.
"Dante?"
"What?"
"Thank you. For coming to the hospital."
He didn't answer, but his fingers brushed mine again in the dark. Just for a second.
It was enough.
