Chapter 114

"Alright," Romano said finally, the seal of finality in his voice. "We leave Rome tonight. Alessandro needs us back at the mansion to get ready for what's next."

Ariel's eyes widened, and she exchanged a quick look with Grandma Penelope. "We're leaving. now?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise and excitement. "What about Greta and Bruno?

A chill smile swept Romano's face. "They've outlined their usefulness. I've given instructions to the guys here on how to take care of them," he said. After a moment's pause, he said, "They are to be taken care of with care. Greta and Bruno won't be causing us more problems.

Penelope's lips thinned as she regarded Romano. "Handled, you say?" she repeated, her tone as keen as a blade. "I hope you remember, Romano, that while they may be troublesome, they're still family.

Romano shrugged; he clearly wasn't concerned that she had stared at him a moment too long. "Family or not, they betrayed us. Greta's lies, Bruno's foolishness, it's caused enough damage. Alessandro made it clear we're moving forward, and anyone who gets in our way will be dealt with." His words were ice, his tone merciful. "I'll make sure Greta and Bruno get the message that they're no longer welcome here.

Grandma Penelope shook her head, and for just that one second, there was a tint of sadness in her eyes. "Do what you must, Romano. Yet remember, power is a double-edged sword. Use it wisely." Her words fell in the air, and just for that one moment, even Romano sounded like he took in the weight of them.

Ariel set a comforting hand on Penelope's shoulder. "It'll be alright, Grandma. We're in this together," she said softly, her voice gentling. She then turned to Romano. "Let's get going, then. Alessandro's waiting, and I don't think he'll take too well to being kept waiting."

Romano nodded, gesturing to the door. "I have a car waiting outside. Pack what you need for tonight; we are not returning.

The three walked down the mansion's grand hallway, the weight of leaving Rome maybe for good settling over them. As they stepped outside, the black SUV was already waiting; two men in dark suits nodded, nodding in respect to Romano's presence.

Romano turned to them. "Everything is in place, yes?

One of them nodded. "Yes, sir. Greta and Bruno have been taken out of commission. They will be handled tonight."

"Good," Romano said shortly. "Make sure they know this is not a negotiation. And keep it quiet. I don't want anything hanging loose.

The men nodded to one another, exchanging a weighted glance of the dire task they were being entrusted with. He nodded to Romano, who spoke in quick gestures to Penelope and Ariel to get inside the car. When they were inside, he settled into the driver's seat, grasping the wheel with intent.

As they pulled away from the mansion, Ariel leaned back and watched the lights of Rome fade behind them. "It feels strange leaving like this, after everything we've built here.

Romano didn't blink his gaze from the road, nor display anything on his face. "Sometimes sacrifices have to be made," he replied. "Alessandro is ready to take the helm, and we'll stand beside him. Rome will always be here, but now our family-our loyalty-belongs with Alessandro."

Ariel nodded to herself, looking back in the silence where Grandma Penelope sat staring at something outside the window. "Grandma, are you okay?" Ariel asked softly.

Penelope nodded slightly, her face shrouded in sadness. "I never thought it would come to this," she whispered. "So many lies, so much secrecy buried beneath this city. And now. we're just leaving it all behind.

Romano's tone gentled somewhat, his eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror. "Penelope, sometimes it is necessary to let go of the past. Alessandro is our future. You have done everything you could to protect the family, now it's time to move forward.

Penelope heaved a sigh, her hands clasped in her lap. "It isn't as easy to move forward for those of us who have lived long enough to remember the cost of ambition." She stopped then, her gaze piercing as she stared at Romano. "Remember this, Romano-loyalty isn't a word. It's a promise-to Alessandro, to Jacqueline, to each other.

The tension hung in the air until Ariel, seemingly sensitive to it, hastened to break with her voice light and teasing: "Romano, maybe Grandma's right this time. You might want to consider being a bit more.diplomatic?"

Romano laughed but didn't turn around. "Well, diplomacy only goes so far in this world. But I'll keep it in mind.

They drove in silence for a while, the hum of the engine filling in the quiet as the countryside began to unfold before them-the sprawl of Rome now a distant glow on the horizon.

In a while, Romano's phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. It was Alessandro: *"Everything prepared?"*

He typed a quick reply: *"We're on our way. All arrangements are taken care of."*

Tucking the phone back into his pocket, he turned to Ariel and Penelope. "Soon, we will reach Alessandro's mansion. And once we do, there will be no turning back."

Penelope took a deep breath as if she was stiffening herself for battle. "I'm ready. Alessandro needs us now more than ever. Just promise me, Romano. promise me you'll protect Jacqueline too. She has been through enough."

Romano nodded, an unusual gleam of warmth in his eyes. "I promise, Penelope. Jacqueline's part of the family now. She's under my protection as much as Alessandro is."

Ariel smiled, her eyes softening. "Then let's face this together. The past may haunt us, but the future is ours to shape.

The car finally came to a stop before the wide gates of Alessandro's mansion. Guards at the entrance bounced off their seats at the recognition of the vehicle, and the gates yawned open without further ado. Romano mounted the SUV up the mile-long spiralling driveway as the mansion unfolded ahead, a quiet giant bathed in moonlight.

As they pulled in, Penelope let out a small sigh, and her eyes scanned over the estate. "It's been such a long way here," she said, her voice low, full of nostalgia, yet strong with resolution in it.

Romano opened his door and stepped out to walk around and assist Penelope and Ariel from their side. Once they were all outside, Romano nodded reassuringly at them. "Stay close. Alessandro will want to meet with us in his study.


"We're here for you now, What's the plan" Romano said

Alessandro's expression tilted "I really don't know for now, but we have to be ready.”