“This is not a transition of power,” Luca sneered, though he did not let go of my wrist. “Alexander is still breathing.”

“Which makes him the active Don,” Marcus replied. “And as his legal counsel, I hold his power of attorney.”

Marcus stared directly into Luca’s eyes, his face completely expressionless.

“The code is very specific,” Marcus continued. “Any interrogation of household staff during an active investigation must be conducted in the presence of the family adviser.”

“She is a servant, Marcus,” Luca spat, his face reddening. “She has no rights here.”

“She is Alexander’s personal housemaid,” Sofia said, stepping closer. “He hired her himself, and she stays in this house.”

Marcus did not break eye contact with Luca.

“If you remove her from this building without my consent, it will be logged as a direct violation of the code,” Marcus said.

“That carries the penalty of strip-ranking, Luca. You know the rules.”

Luca’s jaw clenched, a muscle twitching violently in his cheek.

He looked at Marcus, then down at me, his eyes full of venom.

Slowly, he released his grip on my wrist.