#Chapter 40 Fear

Albert I sat by Diane’s bedside, her tears gradually subsided, but the tension in the room seemed to grow. I could see the weight of her fear and distress, and I did my best to offer comfort, but the curiosity was riding me. I knew she was about to tell me something crucial. Her grip on my hand tightened slightly, and she took a shaky breath before speaking. “Albert,” she said, her voice trembling, “there’s something you need to know... I should have told you from the moment I met you, but I still hadn't figured out how to tell Mia... Then tonight happened and, well, it just seems like it's going to come out sooner rather than later." "What is it?" She took a deep breath. "Mia's father... is the don of the Napoli mafia..." She glanced at me. "You don't seem shocked. Did she tell you?" "No," I said. "It's just that this city is full of mafia. We talked a bit about it, and I got the sense that she had some sort of connection to the Mafia, even though she resented it." She n