Page 31 of Devoted

“They’ve served their purpose; now be done with this travesty.” Silence fell between us, everyone instantly on high alert, knives slipping from sheaths, feet braced solidly on the floor. “Execute them. Or better yet, turn them over to Lord Blackwood and forge a real alliance that benefits this family.”

This fucking bastard…

Even the soldiers who had escorted us back stiffened, glancing between Valeria and her father in confusion.

Here it comes. The betrayal I knew was right around the corner. How like a Demente to use us for their own ends, then sell us out for a seat at the table or a bigger piece of territory.

But instead of agreeing, Valeria flinched, her lips thinning out, two spots of color blooming on her cheeks.

“I’ll do no such thing.” She looked to Gabriel instead. “Gabriel and I swore an oath, and I will keep my word. Your rescue in exchange for Demente resources backing their revolt. Once Giovanni and Blackwood are finished, Gabriel will take his place as Don, as is his right.”

“They know too much. They are valuable bargaining chips,” Rocco snapped the fingers of his remaining hand at the soldiers. “Seize them. I’ll contact Blackwood myself, offer them up as a peace offering, buy our way back inside the inner circle.” His voice rose at least three octaves, almost sounding hysterical.

“That’s an order,” he screamed at the soldiers. “Obey me.”

“I countermand that order. Stand down.” Valeria’s calm words landed harder than hammer blows. Rocco’s jaw worked, teeth grinding loud enough for us all to hear.

“I am your father and the leader of this family. I control the Demente Syndicate. Me.”

“Not anymore.” Steel lined Valeria’s every single word, her spine straight. “I called a meeting of family heads while you were… away. I was voted in as the new head of the syndicate. I’ll show you the contract if you’d like proof.”

For several seconds, no one breathed.

The tension in my body loosened, tired muscles unclenching, my heart rate slowing as I reached the inevitable conclusion—I’d misjudged Valeria.

As if she’d read my mind, she dipped her head to me, then faced Gabriel once more.

“We made an agreement.” She extended her hand. “I intend to honor my side of the oath as well. Anything you need is yours. Destroy Giovanni and bring Blackwood to his knees. Take our Dynasty back, and I will be honored to serve at council at your side when you are sworn in as Don.”

“And I will be honored to serve at yours.” Gabriel clasped her hand firmly as Rocco spluttered out a foul insult.

“Anything you require in your war against Giovanni and Lord Blackwood,” Valeria repeated louder, “my ships, my soldiers, my entire intelligence network—they are yours.”

“Your ships? Your fucking networks? This is a fucking travesty.” Rocco exploded. “You’re soft. Worthless. Nothing but a female. What do you even know about business matters?”

“Far more than you ever did, father,” she said dismissively. “We’ve entered a brand-new age, and I will bring our operations out of antiquity and into the future… without burning the world down around us and destroying lives.”

She released Gabriel’s hand and leveled a withering look at her father. “I did this to save your ass, you know. And these people risked theirs to bring you home alive. Do try, for once in your miserable existence, to find some gratitude in your heart.”

“Gratitude?” he muttered bitterly. “That bastard cut off my hand.”

“And you betrayed Emberline and almost got her killed,” Valeria snapped. “You deserved to pay for that with your life. Gabriel showed you mercy.”

I hated to admit it, but watching them together, I was starting to understand Valeria a little bit better.

At least I’d had Enzo as my moral compass.

How would I have turned out, having someone like Rocco manipulating my entire life with his toxic version of control, using my love for him and my own insecurities against me?

Maybe I didn’t exactly like Valeria, but I respected the hell out of her right now for standing up for herself and not raising her voice. I wanted to throat punch the misogynistic old fucker for being demeaning.

Nico remained over by the windows, staring out over the ocean.

Not once had he looked anywhere else, not even when Rocco threatened to turn us all over to Blackwood. Normally, he’d have some smart-ass—and clever—retort ready, but now he just… stared, as if he didn’t even see what was in front of him. He hadn’t said a word on the return journey, and while I had questions, I got the distinct feeling if I pushed too hard, he might just push back.

I didn’t know what happened at La Sala today, but I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him everything would be okay.

Gabriel and Valeria already had their heads together, planning the next step. Dante caught my eye from across the room and glanced down the hallway, where my brother had disappeared.