It was almost midnight when I finally picked up my phone.
The villa was quiet. Mira had fallen asleep hours ago, her steady breathing the only thing anchoring me to sanity lately. But I couldn't sleep. Not tonight. Not when the next move in this game could determine everything.
The liquor burned down my throat as I paced the study, phone in hand, staring at the name glowing on the screen. Ricardo Romano.
My uncle.
My father's brother.
The man who smiled at my christening and later plotted to burn everything I'd built to the ground.
I'd expected this call weeks ago. But it had to come from me. He'd never trust an olive branch extended by anyone else. Not after Enzo.
I took a slow breath, then dialed.
The line rang twice before he answered.
"Well, well," Ricardo's voice oozed amusement. "The golden boy finally calls."
I smiled faintly, leaning against the edge of my desk. "You make it sound like I've been avoiding you."
