"Seraphina is so fortunate." She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, her gaze dropping to the ground with rehearsed modesty. "Born into a name. Born beautiful. Two men sworn to her since childhood, both devoted, both willing to kill for her. I was never given such a life." A pause, delicate as a held breath. "If Seraphina hadn't taken me in, hadn't given me the protection of the Genovese name, I never would have survived. I wouldn't have had a place anywhere."
The effect was immediate. Both men turned toward her as though pulled by the same invisible thread.
Giancarlo spoke first, his voice dropping into that low, assured register he reserved for promises he intended to keep. "Rosalia, don't say that. You're extraordinary. Beautiful. Sharp. There is a future waiting for you that you can't even see yet." He straightened the cuff of his jacket, a gesture so casual it almost disguised the weight of what came next. "When this is over, when you've proven yourself, I'll speak to my father. I'll have him place you as an advisor in our operations. A position of real authority."