Ezio's face, filled with hatred, appears in my field of vision. Gun in hand, he points it at me and pulls the trigger without hesitation. The deafening sound of the shot jerks me out of my nightmare.

Breathing heavily, my heart racing, I sit up abruptly. I run my hands over my sweat-drenched forehead, then push my hair back, slicking it down. With my elbows on my knees, I hunch over, eyes closed, trying to calm the erratic thudding of my heart, which is merely a reflection of my chaotic thoughts. The questions I had earlier ignored have morphed into this nightmare, manifesting my greatest fear.

What if I was wrong about him ?

The whirlwind of my thoughts overtakes any chance of sleep. Nume's words echo in my head, making me doubt everything, even my vengeance.

Have I embarked on this path of vengeance for a love that was nothing but an illusion ? What if he deserved to die ? What if...?

I shake my head and grab my pillow, screaming into it.

No, May. You know who Ezio was. Only you truly knew him. You were the one closest to him, the one he was going to start a family with. He was part of the mafia, of course he had to act immorally at times, but you know he had a good heart. This vengeance is owed to him, and to Orfeo. Don't let doubts cloud your purpose. You've trained yourself to be impervious to these kinds of allegations, stay the course. You've come too far to turn back now. You'll never find peace if you don't see this through to the end.

The rest of the night is spent in a tug-of-war between light and shadow, unable to quiet the endless internal monologues. Tired of tossing and turning from my inner turmoil, I get up at the first light of dawn and settle in front of the TV.

"This morning, we are shocked to announce yet another attack by the Phoenix. This time, the entire territory has been targeted. Once again decimated by flames, the matriarchal reign of The Matriarcone—Attilia Nume—has come to an end. Unfortunately, just like the Feniosso case, we have no further leads other than reports that two men claimed responsibility for the murders of Attilia and her four daughters. As time passes, the Phoenix's fire grows stronger. Who will be the next victims, and to what extent ?"

The screen suddenly goes black. To my left, Andy, remote in hand, gazes at me through half-closed eyes.

— "Did you sleep here ?"

— "Yeah, I was too lazy to go back to my apartment when you've got a guest room," she says, flopping down on the couch next to me.

Her head in my lap, I stroke her hair.

— "Is Nume haunting you ?"

— "It's more about my actions and their cause," I reply, my gaze lost on the coffee table.

She sits up, the fatigue in her eyes replaced by a frown.

— "Look at what I've become, and for what ?"

— "What the hell did that bitch say to twist your mind like this ?"

— "Nothing far from the truth. And when I see the news reporting my deeds, I wonder when I became corrupted by their world. I'm no better than them in the end."

— "May, they killed Ezio and Orfeo! Snap out of it! Anyone would want revenge after that! It's too late for second thoughts. You've killed children, women, and men to avenge your own child, who died from a bullet fired by those sons of bitches !"

At her words, I break down in tears. The flood of questions and the lack of sleep open the floodgates, overwhelming me with sobs. I feel Andy's comforting arms wrap around me.

— "You're not like them. It's human to want revenge, and just because you're using their weapons doesn't mean you've become like them. Your encounter with Ezio changed you forever. You'll never be the person you were before, but that doesn't mean you're any less honorable. You're comparing two different versions of May, from different times and experiences. Of course, the old May seems more virtuous because she was calm and didn't stir up trouble. But don't forget, you were unhappy back then, and that May hadn't lived through the catastrophe the current you has. Compare what's comparable. Yes, the mafia changed you, and yes, your actions may seem inhumane to others, but I'd love to see how they would act if they were in your shoes. Be kinder to yourself, because you know what you've been through to get here."

— "Can my actions really be justified?"

— "Just remember why you're doing this, where you came from, and what you've had to endure. The difference between you and them is that you're acting this way after losing everything because of them, while they act like this while having everything."

Tears still wet on my cheeks, I remain still as she tightens her embrace.

— "So, do we keep going ? No giving up ?"

— "I sure hope not, because the Abiani target is locked in !" Andrea announces, approaching us.

I pull away from Andy's embrace and give him a genuine smile.

— "A tough moment, May ?"

— "Just a moment of doubt, but I'm fine. Go ahead, I'm listening."

— "Mattia has been tasked by Franco Abiani to take him to New York."

— "Okay, and how does that help us ?" Andy asks.

— "It gives us an opportunity to learn more about him while staying under the radar. No suspicion will be raised since Abiani himself requested Mattia."

— "Why him? Are they in contact ?" I ask, suspicious.

— "Mattia made a name for himself in aviation. After Ezio's death, without a real boss, everyone started requesting him for both short and long trips. It's not surprising that Abiani called on him; it's not the first time."

— "But this time it will work in our favor," I smile. "When is the trip ?"

— "In August."

— "Okay, that gives us three months to come up with a strategy."

— "Honestly, I already have the basics. One of you two will pose as a flight attendant and try to gather as much information as possible during the flight."

Andy and I exchange a glance, then I turn to Andrea.

— "Given my situation, the choice is obvious. I can't leave the country," I remind him.

I barely finish my sentence before Andy lets out a joyous scream, throwing her arms in the air.

— "I've always dreamed of being a sexy flight attendant like Britney Spears !"

— "Sorry, sweetheart, but you can only be sexy for me. No way I'm letting them think they can lay a hand on a single one of your golden hairs," Andrea insists, moving closer to kiss her passionately.

The months fly by. Caught up between work at the studio and meetings with my lawyer, I barely manage to keep my head above water.

Still conspicuously absent, I haven't seen Enoro since I signed my contract. I'm starting to wonder if he even works here.

Today, Andy transforms into a flight attendant for the day, cozying up to the enemy. Despite the constant stress, I work at the studio, partly to make progress and take my mind off things, and partly to create an alibi in case things go south.

In the middle of a recording session, Enoro barges into the studio. The butterflies that had lain dormant suddenly come to life with an intensity I hadn't felt since Ezio. My throat goes dry as my heart races.

— "Miss Torre, to my office. Now," he orders in a commanding tone.

— "I'm not done, I—"

— "I don't care. It's recorded, that's all that matters. Now follow me... please."

Without a word, I comply.

Standing near the door, he holds it open for me. As I walk past him, our shoulders brush, and his scent instantly overwhelms me. I walk toward the back of the chair and hear Enoro close the door behind him. He steps in front of me, leaning against the edge of the desk, hands resting on either side of him. He takes a deep breath before speaking.

— "May, the reason I—"

Suddenly, my phone rings. Despite the glare he shoots at me, I glance at the screen and turn pale when I see Andy's name. Without hesitation, I answer, ignoring Enoro's attempts to get me to hang up.

— "May, we've got a problem, get back to the house quick—"

I try to get more information, but Enoro hangs up the call.

— "What the hell are you doing?" I demand angrily.

— "I was talking to you."

— "I don't care, I have more urgent things to deal with than listening to your bullshit," I snap, storming out of the room, leaving a stunned silence and my phone in his hands.