"But Aldric Valente commands every soldier, every capo, every made man in the syndicate. With this blade, you cannot defeat him."
"Please don't throw your life away for nothing."
"Your master said it himself. Trading one life for the future of every protégé in the crew was worth it."
But I knew Master was lying.
One look at the wreckage strewn across the Castellano house told the whole story. The moment Aldric destroyed him, every last protégé had followed the Boss away without hesitation.
Not a single one stayed behind to bury him.
For a pack of protégés that heartless, did Master truly believe it was worth it?
Faced with my silence, Donna Vittoria's eyes grew redder still.
But she was terrified I would do something reckless, so she swallowed her own tears and forced a smile.
"Nara, you came back, didn't you? As long as you remember your master, that's enough."
Desperate to smother the hatred in my heart, she hurried into the kitchen and brought out a pot still faintly warm with steam.
"Nara, our Castellano crew is small. We don't have the power. Let's not talk about revenge."
"Look. Your master stewed this pigeon soup for you right before he died."