The ballroom felt smaller now.
Like the walls had shifted inward.
Dante stood still, staring at the seizure notification on his phone. Around him, donors laughed, violins played, glasses clinked.
But the war had officially stepped into the open.
“That’s federal,” Nina said quietly.
“Yes.”
“Romano doesn’t have that kind of reach alone.”
“No.”
His eyes scanned the room again.
Not for Romano.
For weakness.
“Who inside your circle has access to shipment routes and financial accounts?” she asked.
“Three people.”
“And you trust them?”
“Yes.”
She held his gaze. “Completely?”
A beat.
“I did.”
That answer unsettled her more than panic would have.
His lieutenant, Carlo, approached again.
“Boss, we need to leave.”
“Yes.”
They moved toward the exit calmly. No rushing. No visible
