act21side

So, at this critically important time, I have chosen to come back home, at risk to my own life, ignoring my father's disdainful glare, to bring back a vital piece of intelligence.

Does that not move you to tears?

Lappland... Even if you are the Don's own daughter, you've overstepped your bounds.

This is no place for you to run roughshod...

You... Nngh... Urgh...

Never seen that guy before. Was he new?

Y-Yes! S-Signorina Lappland.

You're so cruel, Father, to doubt the sincerity of my actions.

You got my desk dirty, Lappland.

Desks can be replaced, right?

Let's hear it then. Your so-called 'vital intelligence.'

Texas.

The same Texas you let go?

That's right. Bellone brought her back.

Lappland squints at her father.

This homecoming has not inspired a single shred of emotion within her.

She carries with her only a faint glimmer of amusement as to what might happen. Or rather, what she is about to make happen.

Because, she has been in such environments far too many times in her life.

She has returned.

The thoughts that inadvertently bubble up in her mind seem ever so laughable.

Celli——

Just call me Texas.

Alright, Texas. How does it feel to be back in Siracusa?

Not too great.

I can imagine. If I were you, I wouldn't feel too great about suddenly being forced to go somewhere, even if it was my homeland.

Though, if this isn't too much to ask, I'd like you to imagine this as well: your father suddenly forced a 'bodyguard' onto you, and she's a whole lot stronger than you. That's not a great feeling either.

Understandable.

That's what I wanted to hear.

Unfortunately, I don't have the power to let you leave.

All I can say is, I hope we can both do what we need to do.

Go ahead and get changed. We had this outfit custom-tailored in old Famiglia Texas style. I hope you can be my bodyguard tonight and accompany me to the banquet.

Sure.

Beside Texas lies the well-pressed suit that Famiglia Bellone has prepared for her.

She looks toward the tightly-shut door.

She knows what she is supposed to do.

To fulfill Zaaro's contract, she needs to exit this room, kill a few irrelevant people, create some chaos, and then finally, kill a few important people.

Irrelevant, or important. This is the attitude Siracusans have toward life.

She, too, used to think like that.

Even now that she has learned to see the world through a different lens, as soon as she stepped back into this city, she quickly realized that these practices were still ever so familiar to her.

She has returned.

The thoughts that inadvertently bubble up in her mind fill her with disgust.

No one told me about this!

Me neither.

Did she act on her own?

Don't worry about it.

I chose to let her do it.

Don Alberto! But why?

A gold coin can mean very different things in different circumstances.

The Bellones will not have their way.

What's a little smirch on our reputation, if it means we cut another piece of flesh off Bernardo?

Understood.

What should we do now?

Prepare my car. I'm going to see my daughter.

Yes, Don Alberto.

By the way, where is Danbrown now?

Danbrown? I think he's working at a carwash.

Give me the address.

Are you calling him back?

I never permitted him to leave the famiglia.

Understood.

And prepare a banquet.

For...?

A feast for the heir to Famiglia Bellone.

Let me go!

We caught the assassins, thanks to Lappland's tip-off.

They've been identified as having taken part in Leontuzzo's assassination.

Do you two know her?

Hey.

Nothing good ever comes of dealing with you, Lappland.

Look on the bright side. It's not every day that you get to sit in a Siracusan cell.

Lock them up.

Yes, Your Honor.

You were the one who waylaid Cellinia, and ordered the bombing of Carracci...

Is that still your story?

You sure are persistent, aren't you?

Don't you and Bellone want to get this case closed as quickly as you can?

Does it matter if it was me or Texas who did it?

You really should hang me, Your Honor.

I'm just a pawn my famiglia cast aside. Surely, you can do it.

Imagine the positive impact that my death will have on justice in Siracusa.

Isn't it worth a try?

I don't know what you're planning.

But I'll do exactly that, if you really are the culprit, Lappland Saluzzo.

First, there's someone I have to see.

Welcome back, Don Bernardo.

Take a break. You've been working hard.

Yes, Don Bernardo.

Not happy?

How could I be?

Come with me.

There are some things that you have to know.

Why did you bring me here?

My lord.

Bernardo. Are you asking me to tame your unruly cub now?

He just needs to understand something.

What are you—

I am il Signore dei Lupi, cub.

Leontuzzo feels a daze at the words 'Signore dei Lupi'.

Fragments of knowledge and memory rush into his mind and take shape.

The Signori dei Lupi. Sovereign of beasts.