Chapter 8

“We are gathered here today to lay to rest Enrico Moretti. A man of great strength, legacy and sacrifice. A leader to many, a father, a brother, a friend.” The priest’s voice tore through the quiet church.

Today the Moretti family buried their patriarch.

The funeral started out in the church.

Everywhere was silent, but occasionally you could hear soft murmuring of prayers, and also there were some sniffles from those grieving. The Moretti family sat in the front row, and even though they tried to hide it, grief was written all over them.

Rhea was seated between her sister, Izzy, and Dante, her brother. It still all felt like a bad dream, and she was hoping that someone would pinch her and tell her it was not real. Her father, Enrico Moretti, lay inside the polished mahogany casket at the altar, dressed in the finest black suit he never got to choose himself.

The same priest who blessed her union was the one who also presided over her father’s final farewell. He went on and on about the concept of life and death, but Rhea barely heard him.

Her thoughts were elsewhere. She thought about the men Adrian had killed, the way their blood splattered on the concrete wall and also pooled on the cold warehouse floor, the blankness in his eyes as he pulled the trigger. She also imagined her father in his pool of blood.

The doors creaked open at the back of the church, and the tension in the room thickened.

All eyes turned as the Vitale family stepped inside; they were dressed in tailored suits and polished shoes. Adrian led them, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room with quiet authority. Marco flanked him on the right, while Luca walked slightly behind. Victor Vitale followed at a measured pace behind them, his presence alone enough to command attention.

Rhea stiffened.

She was expecting them to come. They were their in-laws after all. In fact, if it was a marriage of love, would Adrian not be seated close to her to comfort her?

She expected Dante to react, but he remained composed, his gaze fixed on the priest.

Only when Victor approached did Dante finally stand, extending a hand.

“My condolences,” Victor said, his voice low but firm.

Dante took the offered hand and shook him. “Grazie,” he murmured.

Adrian was next. “Enrico was a man of principle,” he said solemnly. “No matter the differences our family had, his death is a loss to all of us.”

It was Luca’s turn, but he decided to direct his sympathies to Rhea. “I’m sorry for your loss, Rhea.”

She didn’t respond.

Izzy, however, did. “If you’re truly sorry, then help us find who did this,” she snapped, her voice cracking.

Luca turned his gaze to Izzy before he nodded. “We will.”

After the long ceremony, it was time to lower Enrico’s casket into the ground, and everyone in attendance moved outside to witness the descent of a formerly powerful man.

Rhea felt her tears stream down. Izzy sobbed beside her. Dante was rather expressionless.

The main part of the burial was over now. Guests were ushered into the main house to catch some refreshments.

Dante scanned his eyes across the crowd looking for his sister, and when he saw her, he caught Rhea’s arm and pulled her aside.

“Come,” he said, his tone leaving no room for arguement, not that Rhea was in the mood for one.

Rhea followed him to the hallway, together with Izzy. When they reached her father’s office, which by default was Dante’s now, he closed the door behind them and gestured for her to sit. She didn’t.

“We need to talk,” he said, leaning against the desk.

“I figured,” Rhea replied, crossing her arms. “Look, Dante, if this is another lecture on my mission to spy on the Vitales, save it. I think we have gone over that enough even before Father passed.”

Dante looked at her intensely, then exhaled. “Rhea, I know you think I’m being paranoid, but the Vitales are responsible for everything that has happened so far. The attack on our shipment and even our father’s death.”

Rhea furrowed her brows. “That’s not true. Adrian interrogated the men behind the attack. They had nothing to do with us. I told you this already. I was there.”

Dante’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “You think Adrian Vitale would let you see the truth? That whole performance was for your benefit.”

Rhea frowned. “Performance?”

“Yes. A distraction.” He stepped closer to her, his voice barely audible.

“The Vitales needed a cover for everything they planned to do. That was why Victor proposed that marriage between you and Adrian. Our father is gone now, so I’m going to tell you the truth. You know we have always been at war with the Vitales, Rhea. This marriage of yours was just a cover for them. We need to pay them back in their own coin, Sorella.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Rhea countered, but her voice wasn’t as firm as before.

Dante seized the opening. “Think, Rhea. Enrico’s death conveniently happened right after the deal was sealed through marriage. If you were Adrian, wouldn’t you eliminate the last obstacle that is preventing you from taking total control?”

She swallowed hard.

“You’ve seen what he’s capable of. You saw him execute five men without blinking.

Dante stepped even closer, speaking in a low tone, he said. “I have proof.”

Rhea’s breath caught. “What proof?”

Dante opened the door and called someone in. A scruffy-looking man entered, his eyes darting around nervously.

“This is Franco,” Dante said. “He has connections on the streets. Eyes and ears in places we don’t.”

Franco cleared his throat. “Word is, the Vitales wanted Enrico gone long before this deal. They were just waiting for the right moment.”

Rhea’s chest tightened. “And you heard this?”

Franco nodded. “From reliable sources.”

Dante watched her, trying to observe her reaction. “Now do you see, Rhea? This isn’t just about avenging Enrico. This is about survival.”

Rhea hesitated.

“Well, since you are so sure the Vitales are responsible for our father’s death, how about we round up our men, attack them, and kill them all? Why do I need to go back and pretend to be Adrian’s wife? You know I only agreed to that marriage because of Father. It’s not even safe for me over there. That man is ruthless.”

Dante scoffed, shaking his head.

“You think it’s that simple? March in there, guns blazing, and wipe them all out? That’s exactly what they expect us to do, Rhea. And it would get us all killed. The Vitales aren’t just some street thugs; we’re talking about a family that has ruled the underworld for decades. Their power runs deep. We don’t need a war. We need to make them crumble from the inside out. That’s where you come in.”

Dante continued

“Adrian might not trust you now, Rhea. But you’re in his bed and in his house. You have access to the whispers behind closed doors, to the secrets that even his own men don’t know. With the right information, we can destroy them. And when the time comes, we kill them.

Izzy then chipped in; you could still see her teary eyes. “Rhea, you have to see reason,” she pleaded. “They killed Papa. They used you. If you don’t help us, we’ll never take them down.”

Rhea exhaled shakily. “I need time,” she said finally.

Dante arched a brow.

“Adian is not an idiot. I can’t just start making reckless moves. He watches everyone and tests their loyalty constantly. If I suddenly start asking too many questions or acting too eager, he will see right through me.”

She shuddered at the thought of that.

“I need time—time to make him lower his guard, understand how he thinks and moves. If I push too hard too soon, I might loose any chance of getting close.”

“If we’re going to bring them down, I need to know them inside out. Every weakness. Every strength.” She met Dante’s gaze. “When the time comes, I’ll make sure they fall.”

A slow, satisfied smile stretched across Dante’s lips. “That’s my sister.”