The grand dining hall was filled with smoke and the smell of expensive wine. Large men in dark suits sat around a long oak table. These were the "Capos"—the leaders of the different sections of the Volkov family. They were all dangerous. They all had blood on their hands. When Dante walked into the room, the loud talking stopped instantly.
Dante didn't just walk; he marched like a king. But today, he wasn't alone. He held Leo's hand tightly. Leo felt all those cold, hard eyes land on him. He felt like a small lamb walking into a room full of hungry wolves. His lab coat was gone, replaced by a black silk shirt that Dante had picked out for him. It felt too expensive, and it made Leo feel like he was being put on display.
Dante pulled out the chair at the head of the table. But instead of sitting down, he pointed to the chair next to him.
"Sit," Dante commanded.
Leo sat. His heart was beating so hard he thought the men at the table could hear it. He kept his eyes on the white tablecloth. He could feel the judgment from the men around him. They didn't see a surgeon; they saw a weakness.
"Dante," a man with a scarred face spoke up. His name was Marco, and he was the oldest leader at the table. "We are here to discuss the war with the Italians. Why is there a doctor at our table? This is a place for soldiers, not for playthings."
The room went ice cold. Leo gripped the edge of his chair. He wanted to run, but Dante's hand landed on his shoulder. It was a heavy, warm weight that kept him pinned to the seat.
Dante leaned forward. He didn't raise his voice, but his words sounded like a death sentence. "Marco, you are old. Perhaps your eyes are failing you. This is the man who saved my life when Enzo's rats tried to kill me. He didn't run. He stayed and fought."
Dante stood up and walked behind Leo's chair. He put both hands on Leo's shoulders, claiming him in front of everyone. "Leo is not a plaything. He is a Volkov now. He is my personal doctor, and he is under my protection. If anyone looks at him the wrong way, they are looking at me the wrong way. Do you understand?"
Marco looked at Leo, then back at Dante. He saw the fire in Dante's eyes and looked down at the table. "We understand, Boss."
"Good," Dante growled. He turned to the rest of the men. "Enzo thinks I am weak because I was hurt. He thinks he can buy my men and turn them against me. He is wrong. We are going to burn every warehouse he owns. We are going to take his streets and his money."
The men started to murmur and nod. The war was starting. Leo watched as Dante gave orders. He spoke about guns, money, and fire. It was a world Leo didn't understand, but he couldn't stop watching Dante. The man was a monster, but he was a powerful, beautiful monster.
Suddenly, Dante looked down at Leo. He reached out and traced the line of Leo's jaw with his thumb. In front of all these scary men, it was a very private, intimate move. It told everyone in the room that Leo belonged to him.
"Are you bored, Leo?" Dante whispered. He didn't care that his generals were watching.
"No," Leo whispered back. "I'm just... I've never seen you like this."
"This is who I am," Dante said. He looked back at the table. "Marco, tell the men to prepare the cars. We are going to the docks tonight. I want Enzo to know I am awake."
The meeting lasted for hours. Leo sat there, listening to the dark plans of the Mafia. He realized that his old life was truly gone. He couldn't go back to the hospital. He couldn't go back to his quiet apartment. He was a part of this darkness now.
When the meeting finally ended and the men left, the room felt empty and cold again. Dante sat back down and pulled Leo's chair closer until their knees touched.
"You did well," Dante said. He looked tired for a second, but then his eyes turned dark and hungry again. "You didn't look away once. You have the heart of a lion, Leo. Even if you don't know it yet."
Dante reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it to show a heavy gold ring with a black diamond. He took Leo's hand and slid the ring onto his finger. It was heavy and cold.
"This is a symbol," Dante said, kissing Leo's knuckles. "It tells the world that you are mine. If you are ever in trouble, you show them this ring. They will know that if they touch you, I will burn the world to find them."
Leo looked at the black diamond. It was beautiful and scary, just like the man who gave it to him. He was no longer just a doctor. He was the Devil's diamond.