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“COME.” I OFFER MY HAND to Fallon and link our fingers while we take a stroll through the park on our way to the Parish of the Blessed.

“I’ve always loved the smell of spring,” Fallon remarks sadly as she closes her eyes and sighs.

I can tell she’s reminiscing about her parents. Pulling her into my side, I throw my arm around her shoulder and kiss the top of her head. I need to tell her that Ashton has been dealt with.

“Sweetheart, Ashton has been taken care of.”

Her reaction amazes me. She doesn’t become rigid, but on the contrary, she clasps her arms tightly around me, saying, “Thank you.”

I know she doesn’t want the specifics on how I handled Ashton, but I do need to educate her on other dealings of the Syndicate for her safety. “I want to show you something to give you some insight into the Syndicate.”

Now her body does tense up, so I rub my hand down her arm.

“Not anything dangerous. Sei sempre al sicuro con me, dolcezza.” You’re always safe with me, sweetheart.

I tighten my grip when she snuggles up against me as a gust of fresh spring air rushes past us. “I’m going to disclose information to you so that you can at least try to get an understanding of the Syndicate and my part in it. It’s important for us to trust each other. I can’t stress that enough. And you need to keep in mind that I’m the only person you can fully trust – and Adriano. If there’s ever a problem and you can’t reach me, call Adriano. He’s the only person I’d trust to keep you safe.”

“What about James?” she questions and tilts her head up to look me in the eye.

“Our relationship is complicated. It always walks a fine line. He wants to treat me like a son, but he must keep a certain distance because he’s the Capo crimine. He has a soft spot for both Adriano and me, and we do owe him a lot because he got us into college, which enabled Adriano and me to climb the social ladder. I trust him too, but not as much as I trust Adriano. Now, I want you to memorize what I’m about to tell you. There are three Syndicates: LA, New York, and Chicago. We, Chicago Syndicate, have a Capo crimine, underboss, Capo, and Consigliere as the highest ranking men. We also have regular captains and a number of soldiers and associates working for the Syndicate.” I pause and gaze down at her nodding her head, conveying that she understands what I’ve said. “There’s a reason why we – the highest ranks – are elusive. No one knows for sure who the boss and underboss of the LA, New York, and Chicago Syndicates are except for those high ranking men in said Syndicates. No one with a high rank in any of the Syndicates has a criminal record, and bosses are never seen in public with soldiers. We’re invisible but pull all the strings. And each Syndicate has many associates working for it. The most powerful people, people who you would never suspect, are associates and are involved in various illegal activities to gain wealth. This all happens in your world, Fallon. It’s the same world you live in, only our rules are different, not governed by the state.”

We stop at the edge of the curb and wait for the light to change to green as she listens to me intently.

“So not many people, in even your own Syndicate, know who you are or who James is?” she asks.

“Exactly, or they know I’m powerful but not my exact rank. And all these associates, soldiers, and other people we work with – I can identify them all. Sometimes we can be forced to give away our identity for leverage. People who do know understand not to voice what they know.”

“But weren’t the people at your headquarters your soldiers? They see you there constantly, so they can identify you, can’t they?”

“Some of them can. But I’m never there as often as I was when you were at the house. There are maybe a handful of soldiers who know the hierarchy. For example, Damian knows. Of course, there are a lot of rumors, and many soldiers do think they know my rank, but they would never disclose it outside the Syndicate for fear for their own lives. You need to understand how powerful we are. We’re above the law. Look at how I can live, and yet I’m never under investigation. We can make anything and anyone disappear. I want you to stop being afraid. If you trust me one hundred percent, I can guarantee that you’ll always be protected. Stop thinking in black and white and open your mind more to the grey.”

“I’m trying to, Luca, but it’s complicated,” she replies. “When I was at your headquarters, I remember you said that none of you were blood related. But the doctor is James’s brother.”

“None of the members are related. I also told you that the doctor isn’t truly a member. He’s part of the Syndicate but only as our physician. We can’t just use any physician we choose; it needs to be someone we can trust. And James’s brother doesn’t mind because they’re very close. He’s been part of the Syndicate since before I joined.”

In the meantime, we cross the street to climb the stairs of the parish. As we stand in the back, I circle my arm around Fallon from behind and pull her back to my chest.

When she rests her head against me, I speak softly into her ear, “There’s a good reason why I always tell you to be more observant. Remember the priest from your parents’ funeral? He’s at the front; his name is Eli. He’s a mafia priest. Do you see the woman in the front row in the blue blouse? That’s his wife.”

“Huh? A priest can’t marry,” she blurts.

“Rules of religion don’t apply to mafia priests. And most people attending this service know and accept that he’s married. The guy in the grey suit on the left...”

Her attention turns to him.

“He’s an associate and also the DA. So you see, no laws apply to these people. And always remember that nothing is what it seems. We all live above any law except the Syndicate laws. Ordinarily, no one knows the laws of the Syndicate except the members, but I’m telling you all this for your own safety. You’re my life, Fallon, and I will protect you with everything I have and know.”