The Charade Ends

DARIO

Carmine finally lifted his eyes to me, but only for a second before he busied himself with the wine glass, swirling it as though there was something fascinating at the bottom.

I chuckled under my breath. “You know,” I said, tapping my knife against the plate, “our father always told us, blood comes first. Above everything. Above business. Above women. Above… temptation.”

Carmine froze. Just