Alessio pulled the Moretti ceremonial dagger from his jacket. Rain ran over the onyx and silver set into its hilt. I had watched him use that blade to seal family pacts and end blood feuds. He had never offered it to anyone.
He reversed the blade and offered me the handle with the point against his chest. His knees shifted on the asphalt, but he kept the weapon steady.
"Take my kidney. Take my heart. Take anything. Just come home, Eleanor. I can't do this without you. I will give you every territory and every account."
I left the knife in his hand. He stayed there, waiting for the blade to get an answer his apology had not.
"You think a body part balances what you did because that's how you understand people. Blood, loyalty, territory, love. Everything becomes a transaction once you ne
