Chapter eight

The Gamble

The words spun in my head, and every instinct screamed at me to act—to tear my son away from Lorenzo and run. But where would we go? How could I protect him, protect all of them, when this world was built on violence and betrayal?

Dante’s voice sliced through the tension, harsh and unyielding. “Don’t do it, Elena. You know he’s lying.”

I turned toward him, my vision blurring with tears. “And if he’s not? What if he’s telling the truth?”

Luca growled, stepping forward, fists clenched at his sides. “We’ll kill him before he can lay a hand on your son. You don’t have to make this choice.”

Sasha remained silent, his cold, calculating gaze focused entirely on Lorenzo. His mind was already working through every possible outcome, but even I could see the doubt flickering in his eyes. Sasha didn’t gamble. He only played games he knew he could win, and this… this was too much of a risk.

Lorenzo, sensing my hesitation, squeezed my son’s shoulder. “You don’t have the luxury of time, E