POV Dante
I start with Vitelli.
Seven in the morning. He comes to my office for the daily security briefing like always — same time, same chair, same careful posture. He's been doing this for four years, and he's never once been late. I like that about him. I used to like that about him.
I let him finish his report. Then, when he stands to leave, I stop him.
"One more thing. "I keep my voice easy. Casual. The way you'd mention the weather. "The Naples transfer. Wednesday. Private dock, south side. Make sure the route is clean."
Vitelli nods. "Understood."
He leaves.
I write down the time. 7:14 a.m.
Luca comes at nine.
He's already smiling when he walks through the door, which is how I know he slept well last night. Luca always sleeps well. That used to seem like a good quality—a man who doesn't carry his work to bed. Now it feels like something else. Like a man who doesn't feel the weight of what he carries at all.
