Something inside me twisted.

Keeping my voice light, almost casual, I asked, "Was that the fight over Liliana?"

"Adriana, don't start." Dante didn't even hesitate. His tone hardened instantly, the warmth from moments ago vanishing without a trace. "She's my courier. If someone disrespects her and I do nothing, what do you think that says about me in front of the Family?"

I said nothing.

He continued, his voice edged with irritation now. "You're a Falcone. You don't have to deal with this kind of crap. But she's not you."

It had been a simple question. Nothing more than that.

And yet, somehow, it had still managed to provoke him.

I fell silent, letting the words settle between us like something heavy and unspoken.

Even so, the tension lingered. He was still annoyed.

After a moment, he spoke again, more curt this time. "Take me to the club. I've got business to finish."

I glanced at him through the mirror once more.

There had been a time when I would have worried. I would have told him to go home, to rest, to stop pushing himself so hard. I would have reached for him, tried to bridge the distance.