“It’s Vinny. I know it is.”

I’d replayed the events of the last few weeks over and over in my head. The culminating events at my apartment cemented what I knew in my gut. That’s why I was at Donato’s in the middle of the night instead of with Vivian. To get this shit resolved.

Donato leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. I’d had my suspicions Vinny was the one who wanted Donato sidelined, but I’d been hesitant to say so to Donato without proof. The two men might not always see eye to eye, but they were brothers. In their family that counted for something. At least on Donato’s part.

Though I still didn’t have concrete evidence, I couldn’t wait any longer to speak up. Secrets had nearly cost me Vivian, and I knew that working together with Donato was the best chance of finding a way out of this mess.

“I’m going on pure instinct,” I continued, drumming my fingers against the arm of the chair. “I want to be wrong, but all the pieces lead to only one place.”

Donato’s breathing was even, the features of his face neutral, but I knew he was listening. I tapped my foot against the carpet, determined to wait him out.

“Alvarez finally did his job and confirmed your suspicions just before you arrived.” He opened his eyes and folded his hands on his desk. I stopped tapping my foot and stared at him, amazed and relieved that it was that simple.

When he spoke again, the sadness was palpable. “What is it about family that blinds us? I’m well aware of everything Vinny’s done to undermine us over the years, yet I still find it hard to believe he would actually turn me in for murder.” Donato sounded disgusted with himself.

“I struggled to believe it myself. You’ve been to him what family should be.” Vinny had no idea just how lucky he was, yet he tossed his brother aside as if he were nothing. “All the undermining and backstabbing, part of me thought he was just being juvenile. Now, it’s obvious he wants to be head of the family without waiting his turn.” Why hadn’t I pushed this issue sooner? Maybe deep down, I’d feared Donato would side with Vinny, blood thicker than water and all that. And yet, over and over Donato had proven his loyalty to me. I should’ve trusted that. If I had, we might not be in this hell of a mess.

“Vinny will never be head of this family. When I’m gone, it’s over.” I’d rarely heard Donato sound more resolute.

I clutched the armrests of the chair and leaned forward to look right in his eyes. “I know this might be hard to accept, but after what happened tonight, we can’t let it go any longer. This ends. Now.”

“He’s waiting to find out the cost of what he did to Vivian and Muriella, amongst other things.”

“I know about some of it. What the hell else has he done?” My irritation soared as my mind turned over the possibilities.

“Aside from being generally incompetent, he’s been skimming money for years from the deals I’ve sent him to do on his own.” Donato finally met my gaze. His was impassive, though there was an edge in his tone.

This news was no surprise. “Speaking of screwing up deals, do you have anything on what he did with the jaune?”

“It’s in your apartment.”

The fucker. Vinny was setting me up, just as we suspected. “It’s lovely to have options,” I said wryly. “Door one, I go to federal prison for a minimum of twenty years. Door two, I’m assassinated for stealing a diamond. Even when the owner finds out it was a setup, she’ll kill me just to prove a point.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked toward the fireplace.

“Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t disagree.”

I made myself at home, flicking the switch on the wall, a whoosh sounding before flames appeared. “And these are abnormal?” I asked as I stepped closer to the fire to heat my chilled bones.

“I had my guys hack into her security system and sent her video that very clearly proves you did not lift her precious diamond. I’ve spoken with her, and we’ve settled the misunderstanding.” I spun and stared at him expectantly. “Vinny was truthful with you for once. He stole the diamond.”

“I have no idea why that doesn’t make me feel any better.”

Donato’s lip twisted up, but it didn’t really resemble a smile. “Actually, he’s been truthful with you twice.”

I narrowed my gaze. “What do you mean?”

“He does know something about your father’s murder and my connection to it,” he said, far too calmly.

“I don’t care to hear it.” I turned away. I’d known the truth the second Vivian told me about that autopsy.

“Vinny was there.”

“He killed him?” That made no sense. Unless he’d been ordered to do it.

“No,” Donato scoffed. “He was with me when you called that day. I had one thing on my mind, and that was ending your suffering. Vinny sat in the car while I took care of the problem.”

I collapsed in the chair behind me and stared up at the ceiling. I’d heard enough. “What now?”

He inhaled deeply. “You’re still in a heap of shit. There’s not much evidence left, so it’s going to be hard to exonerate you. For now, your confession will have to stand.”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“We will.” He slapped the wood surface of the desk and stood. “Shall we go see to my dear brother?”

The promise of retribution lit like fire in my veins. “I’m surprised you haven’t seen to him already.”

Donato shrugged on his jacket. “I couldn’t deny him time to stew as he considers all the possible ways I could make him pay for his transgressions.” He checked his watch. “It’s been long enough.”

Half an hour later as the sun rose higher in the sky, Donato pulled up to the curb down the street from my warehouse. I shot him a sideways look as he shifted the SUV into park.

“Should I have asked permission?” he asked, a wry smile on his lips.

I had carte blanche to use anything he had—vehicles, property, connections. It was only fair he had at least some access to my things.

“No.” I shoved open the car door and stepped out on the decaying sidewalk.

Donato easily moved in beside me. “You’re here to get your answers. To hear his account. Once he’s done talking, you’ll leave.”

I slowed my steps and glanced at him. “Is it difficult?” He would kill his brother, and maybe it was a stupid question, but Donato made everything look so damn easy.

“Sometimes, yes. Many times, no.” He checked his watch and shoved his hand in his pocket. “If I don’t take care of this, the problem will only grow. We’re in this current predicament because I’ve hesitated.”

“What if he wasn’t your brother?”

Donato’s gaze went cold. “I’d put a bullet between his eyes while eating a ham sandwich.”

I stopped and looked down at the sidewalk, taking a moment to collect my thoughts before I lifted my eyes to his. “Do you need me in there?” I nodded toward the warehouse.

“No. I only want you to have your peace of mind.”

I nodded and kicked at a chunk of loose concrete. “Then I’m going to go. I don’t need a rehashing of the things he’s done. And as much as I want to kill him myself, I won’t.”

He clapped my shoulder. “Your mother would be so proud of the man you’ve become.” He blinked at me a few times. “I’m proud.”

“I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without you,” I admitted.

“Neither would I.” My eyes rounded, and he gave me a sharp squeeze. “Can I trust you won’t play hero again, at least until I get this taken care of?” Underneath his tease, there was gratitude.

“I think I’ll just focus for now on how to keep us both free.”

He smiled before his expression turned serious. “No one has ever done for me what you did.”

“It’s the right thing,” I said solemnly.

“No. It’s not. But I appreciate it.” He pointed his chin down the street. “Go. Get out of here. Valentina will have supper ready at seven this evening. There’s always a place set for you.”

My throat clogged. I didn’t know the open invitation meant that his wife always expected me at their table.

“You know where to find me if you need me.”

He gripped my shoulder one more time and took off toward the warehouse. I moved in the opposite direction without waiting to watch him go inside. Vinny was a major thorn in my side, but I had bigger problems to deal with now. Namely, if there was any way to avoid prison without sending Donato in my place.