Obsidian Heart

where Eliza had wrestled with Rocco's philosophy books and his secretive wooden box, was now the setting for a dinner party.Eliza was dressed in a simple, charcoal-gray

d. Silvio, the consigliere, gave a slow, approving nod.Rocco, who had been speaking in low tones with one of the affiliates, paused and watched her, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. She had played the game perfectly, using her own professional credibility to define her place at his side.Then, the focus shifted. Russo began complaining about a new development deal near the waterfront-a clear territory struggle. "The Marinelli dogs are overstepping," Russo grumbled. "They're trying to move their construction crews onto the north side of Pier 40. It's an insult to the entire operation, Rocco."The air in the room dropped ten degrees. Eliza felt a chill as the name of the rival family-the one seeking to replace Rocco-was spoken aloud.Rocco remained utterly calm, carving a piece of meat with surgical precision. "The Marinellis are testing the fence. They want to see if I am distracted." He glanced sharply at Eliza, an unspoken message passing between them: You are my distraction, and they think it makes me weak.Silvio cleared his throat. "We need to send a message, Rocco. Something that reminds them who owns the dockyards. And it needs to be public."Rocco didn't answer immediately. He looked across the table at Eliza, who was clutching her fork, her knuckles white."Eliza," he asked, his voice unexpectedly gentle, drawing all eyes to her again. "The north side of Pier 40. You know that area well. Is it valuable?"Eliza's throat tightened. Pier 40. The place where they had spent that innocent summer; the place where he had abandoned her. It was the place where her life had broken."It's sentimental," she choked out. "It's a broken-down dockyard, now. It's valuable only for the memories it holds.""Memories, tesoro," Rocco corrected, his gaze softening briefly before hardening again. "Memories are priceless, and therefore, they are the most valuable assets we own. They are worth killing for."He looked back at his associates, his eyes now ice. "Tell the Marinellis that if they touch a single piece of wood on Pier 40, they are touching Valeriano property. Not territory. Property. Send a crew to the pier tonight. Not to hur