A DANGEROUS VOW

EPISODE 12 — THE MEETING

The next morning, Lorenzo was already in his office when his security chief arrived.

"Don."

Lorenzo looked up from the documents on his desk.

"Did you find out who Ferraro met?"

"Yes."

Lorenzo waited.

"A man named Marco De Luca."

Lorenzo's expression changed.

"De Luca?"

"Yes."

"Where did they meet?"

"An old restaurant outside the city."

Lorenzo leaned back.

"How many times?"

"Three."

"Why didn't we know about the first two?"

"We didn't have anyone watching the restaurant."

Lorenzo's fingers tapped against the desk.

"What do we know about De Luca?"

"Former Romano associate. He left the organization six years ago."

"Why?"

"He believed Ferraro should have become Don instead of you."

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"So Ferraro is building his old network."

"That's what it looks like."

"Find everyone he's contacted."

"Yes, Don."

The man turned to leave.

"And one more thing."

He stopped.

"Keep this away from Bianca."

"Understood."

---

BREAKFAST

Bianca was already sitting at the table when Lorenzo entered.

She looked up.

"You're late."

Lorenzo glanced at the clock.

"I'm early."

"Compared to what?"

"My schedule."

She laughed.

"You're impossible."

Alessandro smiled from across the table.

"She's getting comfortable."

Lorenzo sat.

"Apparently."

Bianca noticed the tiredness around his eyes.

"You didn't sleep."

"I did."

"How long?"

"Enough."

"That's not an answer."

Lorenzo looked at her.

"You're becoming very demanding."

"And you're becoming very evasive."

Alessandro chuckled.

"I think I like this marriage."

Lorenzo gave him a warning look.

Alessandro simply continued eating.

Bianca smiled.

Then Lorenzo's phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

His expression immediately changed.

He stood.

"I have to go."

Bianca looked at him.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes."

She knew he was lying.

But she didn't stop him.

---

ROMANO WAREHOUSE

Lorenzo stepped out of the car.

Several men were waiting.

His security chief approached.

"Don, we found something."

He handed Lorenzo a folder.

Inside were photographs.

Ferraro.

De Luca.

And several other men Lorenzo recognized.

All former Romano associates.

Lorenzo studied the photographs.

"How many?"

"Seven confirmed."

"Any inside the organization?"

"Not yet."

Lorenzo closed the folder.

"Don't assume that."

The security chief nodded.

Lorenzo looked toward the warehouse.

"Check everyone."

"Even senior men?"

"Especially them."

---

THE ROMANO MANSION

Bianca spent the afternoon with Alessandro.

They sat in the garden drinking tea.

"Do you like Lorenzo?"

The question caught Bianca off guard.

She nearly dropped her cup.

"Grandfather!"

Alessandro laughed.

"What? I'm old. I'm allowed to ask."

Bianca looked away.

"I respect him."

"That's not what I asked."

She sighed.

"Lorenzo is... complicated."

"He's always been."

"Sometimes he's kind."

Alessandro smiled.

"Don't tell him I said this, but he's always had a soft heart."

Bianca looked surprised.

"Lorenzo?"

"Yes."

"I don't see it."

"You will."

She stared at him.

"Did something happen to him?"

Alessandro's smile faded.

"Everyone who becomes powerful loses something."

"What did Lorenzo lose?"

Alessandro looked toward the mansion.

"Trust."

Bianca became quiet.

Before she could ask more, a car entered through the gates.

Valentina stepped out.

Bianca sighed softly.

"Again?"

Alessandro smiled.

"She has always been persistent."

---

VALENTINA AND BIANCA

Valentina approached the garden.

"Alessandro."

"Valentina."

She greeted him warmly before looking at Bianca.

"Can I speak with you?"

Bianca looked surprised.

"Me?"

"Yes."

Alessandro stood.

"I'll leave you two."

He walked away.

Bianca gestured toward the chair.

"Sit."

Valentina sat.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Valentina said,

"I owe you an apology."

Bianca raised an eyebrow.

"For what?"

"My behavior at the wedding."

Bianca smiled faintly.

"You're forgiven."

Valentina laughed.

"That was easy."

"I don't like holding grudges."

"That's good."

Valentina looked at her.

"You're very different from what I expected."

"Is that good or bad?"

"I haven't decided."

Bianca smiled.

Valentina became serious.

"There's something you should understand about Lorenzo."

Bianca waited.

"He doesn't let people close."

"I know."

"No. You don't."

Valentina leaned forward.

"Before you, there was someone he trusted completely."

Bianca's expression changed.

"What happened?"

"He learned that trust could be used against him."

"Who betrayed him?"

Valentina looked away.

"Someone he loved."

Bianca said nothing.

Valentina stood.

"I just wanted you to know."

"Why?"

Valentina looked at her.

"Because you're his wife now."

She walked away.

Bianca remained seated.

She couldn't stop wondering who had broken Lorenzo's trust.

And why Valentina seemed to know so much about his past.

---

FERRARO'S OFFICE

Ferraro sat across from Marco De Luca.

"You've seen him?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"Lorenzo is more cautious than before."

Ferraro smiled.

"Marriage changed him."

De Luca shook his head.

"No. The woman changed him."

Ferraro's smile faded.

"Explain."

"He watches her."

"Everyone watches their wife."

"Not Lorenzo."

De Luca leaned forward.

"At the dinner, he kept checking where she was."

Ferraro became thoughtful.

"So she matters."

"Maybe."

Ferraro stood.

"Then we don't touch her."

De Luca looked surprised.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want Lorenzo angry."

He smiled coldly.

"I want Lorenzo distracted."

---

THAT NIGHT

Bianca couldn't sleep.

She walked downstairs for a glass of water.

As she passed the study, she heard voices.

She stopped.

Lorenzo was inside.

"I don't care how long it takes."

His voice was low.

"Find them."

A pause.

"No. Don't arrest anyone yet."

Bianca frowned.

"Find out who is feeding Ferraro information."

She took a step back.

The floor creaked.

Silence.

The study door opened.

Lorenzo looked directly at her.

"Bianca?"

She froze.

"I couldn't sleep."

He studied her.

"How much did you hear?"

She hesitated.

"Enough."

Lorenzo stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

"This isn't something you need to involve yourself in."

"I know."

"Then don't."

Bianca looked at him.

"But if someone is trying to hurt you..."

She stopped.

Lorenzo waited.

She shook her head.

"Never mind."

She turned to leave.

"Bianca."

She stopped.

"Thank you."

She looked back.

Lorenzo's expression was unusually soft.

"For what?"

"For worrying."

She smiled slightly.

"You're welcome."

She walked upstairs.

Lorenzo watched her until she disappeared.

For the first time, he realized something he wasn't prepared to admit.

Bianca wasn't just becoming part of his public life.

She was slowly becoming part of his private one too.