Book 2: Chapter 84

Antonio's heart pounded in his chest as Enrico's piercing words sliced through the tense atmosphere. The intensity of the questioning was more than he had anticipated, and the pressure was mounting with each passing second. He could feel the eyes of the entire Saviano family bearing down on him.

Enrico’s accusation lingered in the air, heavy and suffocating. Antonio knew he had to respond quickly, and convincingly, or risk everything. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet Enrico’s gaze with as much steadiness as he could muster.

“It was chaos,” Antonio began, his voice measured but laced with the right amount of distress. “The ambush was sudden and brutal. We were outnumbered, and it all happened so fast. When Ares was shot, I was trying to fend off Dominic’s men. By the time I reached him, he was already gone… There was nothing I could do.”

He paused, he could see the doubt still flickering in Enrico’s eyes, and he knew he had to take this explanation further