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The Mafia's fourth daughter is Mechanical Genius Season 1
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PeopleTranscript
00:00Everyone thought I was an idiot. They never knew I'd been a top weapons engineer in my life.
00:04Then one night, Father swore an enemy. Razor Gang Kane hacked our security system and stormed after midnight.
00:10More than half our security team were killed or wounded.
00:13Father was forced to his knees in the hall with his hands bound behind him.
00:17Don Moretti, I hear you have four daughters. You're all gonna die now. One of you can fuck with me
00:22first.
00:23My oldest sister, Serena, shook from head to toe. Second sister, Vivian...
00:34Third sister, Camille, held her tight. I stood at the turn of the staircase and cleared my throat.
00:39Then I raised the cig. The voice struck him between the eyes.
00:44Anyone else want to choose a Moretti daughter?
00:49I was the overlooked fourth daughter of the Moretti Mafia family.
00:52My three older sisters excelled in either high society or our legitimate family business.
00:56I barely spoke and spent my days in the basement, taking apart burner phones.
01:01My father, Don Victor, shook his head.
01:03My daughter's not all there. She barely speaks.
01:05My mother was more direct.
01:07Then marry her to one of our richer allies.
01:09They can replace whatever she tears apart.
01:11I said nothing.
01:13I dismantled broken phones in the basement all day.
01:16Next came computers.
01:17Then the cig father kept in his safe.
01:19I went over its parts seven times until I could rebuild it blindfolded.
01:23It was one of the few hobbies I had carried through two lives.
01:25Don Moretti, I think someone else should be my fiancée.
01:28My fiancée, Adrienne Vale, said...
01:30What exactly do you mean, Adrienne?
01:32Your father came here himself to arrange this marriage.
01:35Please do not be angry, Don Moretti.
01:37Wendt is sheltered.
01:38That would be fine in a normal family.
01:40But the coast is unstable.
01:41Every faction is waiting to strike.
01:43My wife must stand beside me.
01:44She must command a room and run our business,
01:47handle foreign contracts.
01:48Wendt barely speaks.
01:50How can she handle the Razor Gang?
01:51Serena lowered her head.
01:53Camille scoffed.
01:54Only Vivian flushed.
01:55She had just returned from the business negotiations.
01:58Vivian and I have fallen for each other through business dealings.
02:01If you agree, the Vale family will offer double the marriage settlement for Vivian's hand.
02:05Mother looked at me.
02:06Adrienne, Weck is your fiancée.
02:08She just doesn't like to talk.
02:09She has a good heart.
02:10Mrs. Morita, a good heart cannot manage Vale holding.
02:14He toured me.
02:15Wendt.
02:16Put that dirty thing down.
02:17He pulled the screwdriver from my hand.
02:19Look at you.
02:19You are filthy.
02:20These computers may be broken, but they're not toys for your tantrums.
02:23I know it hurts.
02:24But you know your place, right?
02:26I finally looked up at him.
02:28Vivian is better suited to me.
02:30Be good, Wendt.
02:31Go back to the basement and play with your old phones.
02:33I'll send you crates of old Barbie dolls.
02:35Tear them apart all you want.
02:37I couldn't force out a word.
02:38Not because I couldn't speak.
02:39Because he disgusted me.
02:41In my previous life, I had been a top weapons engineer.
02:44I spent 20 years in a lab.
02:46Metal and cold data were my world.
02:47In this life, I only wanted to work quietly with my hands.
02:50But Adrian insisted on dressing his selfishness up as duty.
02:54Enough.
02:56Wet cannot carry this alliance.
02:58Vivian will take her place.
03:01Thank you, Don Moretti.
03:03I picked up the screw and put it back into the old computer.
03:06No one knew it now intercepted all Mafia's encrypted traffic.
03:09Adrian Vale, today, you crushed the last bit of patience I had left.
03:12The broken engagement caused barely a ripple in the Moretti family.
03:15No one believed I had been hurt.
03:17To them, a fool like me could not understand humiliation.
03:20Why comfort someone too stupid to feel ashamed?
03:23As Autumn settled over Vesper Island, Mother sighed more often whenever she found me in the basement.
03:28I was always crouched over another machine, surrounded by loose screws and open casings.
03:33One afternoon, Mother called me to the smaller sitting room.
03:36Wendt, come here.
03:38Your father was right.
03:39The Vale family was too much for you.
03:41I had our attorney look into several families.
03:43The man in it was middle-aged and heavy around the waist.
03:46This is Gordon Mercer.
03:47He owns Mercer Demolition and Recycling.
03:49He's older than you.
03:50His wife passed away and he has a daughter.
03:52But he's very wealthy.
03:53You love tearing things apart, but he can easily afford your habit.
03:56He won't mind that you're too quiet.
03:58The fourth Moretti daughter would end up with a crude, wealthy widower.
04:01It was almost funny.
04:02But Mother was trying to protect me.
04:04She feared I'd grow old alone, so money was the only security she could offer.
04:08A soft voice came from the doorway.
04:10Mrs. Moretti, Gordon Mercer looks harmless enough.
04:13I knew that voice.
04:14Adrian Vale.
04:15He stood, Vivian walked beside him.
04:16My former fiancé had come to help choose my next husband.
04:19He glanced at Gordon's photograph.
04:20Mercer is only a businessman.
04:22He's clean and predictable.
04:23He'll treat Wendt like a queen.
04:24His scrapyards are full of old machines.
04:26She can tear things apart all day.
04:28Isn't that exactly what she wants?
04:29Vivian tugged at his sleeve.
04:31Adrian, don't tease her.
04:32She doesn't understand marriage.
04:34I'm planning her future.
04:36This was custom made in Geneva.
04:37There's only one.
04:38Vivian tore away the wrapping.
04:42Wendt, step back.
04:43This is delicate.
04:44If you break it, repairs will be a problem.
04:45I just don't want you to hurt yourself.
04:47Go to the basement, Wendt.
04:48We're done here.
04:49I obeyed.
04:50I shut the basement door.
04:52This was my kingdom.
04:53At the back, I moved a crate of waterproof gun case lay beneath it.
04:56Inside was father's black cig.
04:58I had taken it from his safe and replaced it with a replica of the same weight.
05:01No guard had noticed.
05:03Neither had father.
05:04I closed my eyes.
05:05My fingers passed over the barrel, trigger, and magazine.
05:08Click.
05:08Click.
05:08In under ten seconds, the entire pistol lay in pieces before me.
05:12I touched every part seven times.
05:14Then I rebuilt it without opening my eyes.
05:16I racked the slide.
05:17The parts locked together with a clean metallic snap.
05:19It sounded ten thousand times better than Adrian's jewelry box.
05:22Gordon Mercer?
05:23Adrian Vale?
05:23They had no idea.
05:25A wolf mistaken for a dog was still a wolf.
05:27Days passed.
05:28Gordon seemed pleased with the match.
05:30Every few days, he sent more gaudy designer clothes and handbags covered in logos.
05:34Every time Gordon came by, Adrian happened to be there too.
05:37He was Vivian's fiancee, yet he acted as if the entire Meretti estate answered to him.
05:41One afternoon, the hall felt unusually tense.
05:43Vivian close to tears.
05:45The necklace Adrian gave me is locked inside.
05:47He expects me to wear it to tomorrow's gala.
05:49Camille rolled her eyes.
05:50It's a box.
05:51If it's broken, Adrian can buy another.
05:53You don't understand.
05:55There's an important letter from Adrian's side.
05:57Now the lid is jammed and I can't open it.
06:00I had just washed my hands and was heading to the kitchen for food.
06:03One look told me what was wrong.
06:04The spring was wound too tight and had jammed the main gear.
06:07What are you staring at?
06:09Stay away.
06:10If you break this, you could never afford to replace it.
06:12I ignored her.
06:13I pressed two fingers against a hidden knot under the base.
06:16My thumb flipped the winding key twice.
06:18The lid sprang open.
06:19Both my sisters stared at me.
06:21Front doors opened.
06:22Adrian walked in.
06:23What happened?
06:24The box jammed.
06:25I thought it was ruined.
06:26You got lucky, Wendt.
06:28Don't mistake it for skill.
06:29One wrong move ruined the whole mechanism.
06:32You were lucky this time.
06:33Lock it up from now on.
06:35Some people don't know when to keep their hands off.
06:37I watched him play the perfect gentleman.
06:39Camille laughed behind him.
06:40Exactly.
06:41You pressed one button and got lucky.
06:42Go back to the basement and play with your junk.
06:44Stop embarrassing yourself.
06:45Adrian took out a cheap Christmas snow globe.
06:48It was the cheapest thing a gift shop could sell.
06:49Here, Wendt.
06:50I saw this and thought of you.
06:52Take it.
06:53Leave your sister's things alone.
06:54What?
06:55You don't like it?
06:56Be grateful, Wendt.
06:57Opening something by accident doesn't make it yours.
06:59I looked down at the cheap toy.
07:01Then I squeezed.
07:02The glass shattered in my palm.
07:04A sharp piece of glass sliced my skin.
07:06Adrian frowned.
07:07Are you hurting yourself for attention?
07:09That's childish.
07:10He took Vivian's hand and led her upstairs.
07:12Come on.
07:12Don't let her ruin your night.
07:14I stood where they left me.
07:15I wrapped my palm childish.
07:17On Vesper Island, real cruelty had not even begun.
07:20Settled over Vesper Island.
07:22I sat on the steps outside the basement,
07:24turning Father's sig between my fingers.
07:26A formal dinner was underway.
07:27Tonight was Adrian and Vivian's official engagement party.
07:29Father had invited allied dons, city officials, and court executives.
07:34Gordon was there too, after dinner.
07:35He planned to finalize my match with Father.
07:37I was not invited.
07:38Adrian had told Mother.
07:40Weck doesn't handle crowds.
07:41She might upset our guests.
07:43Let her stay downstairs.
07:45Mother agreed.
07:46Security door to the main ring was locked.
07:48Once again, my family shut me out of their polished world.
07:51A muffled shock came from the far side of the estate.
07:54Not fireworks.
07:54Suppressed rifle fire.
07:56Memories from my last life took over.
07:58I tucked the sig behind my back.
08:00Climbed through the basement service window.
08:02Fire rose above the mayor.
08:05Razorgangs!
08:05They're inside!
08:06I moved toward the hall.
08:08More than half our guards lay dead or bleeding.
08:10Every security screen was black.
08:12The electronic gates stood open.
08:14This attack had been planned.
08:15I looked through a dozen armed Razorgangs.
08:17Razorgang boss Rocco led them.
08:19Don Moretti.
08:20Been a while.
08:21You wiped out three of my crews.
08:23Tonight, I collect.
08:24Touch my family and every Moratti soldier on this coast will hunt you down.
08:28Your soldiers are tied up on the mainland.
08:30No one's coming.
08:32Adrian crouched nearby.
08:33Held Vivian behind him.
08:34But his body would not stop shaking.
08:36Gordon was under a sofa, pretending to be dead.
08:39Rocco stopped in front of Adrian.
08:40The veil hair.
08:41Fancy.
08:42Name your price.
08:44Ten million cash.
08:47Vivian screamed and reached for him.
08:49Don Moretti, I hear you have four daughters.
08:51You're all gonna die now.
08:53One of you can fuck with me first.
08:55Mother stepped forward.
08:56Take the money.
08:57Leave my daughters alone.
08:59His hand reached for Vivian.
09:00I stepped out of the shadows at the turn of the staircase.
09:02The veil head turned.
09:04I raised father, Sig Rocco did not even turn around.
09:06Some little bitch thinks she can scare me?
09:11Anyone else want to choose a Morelli daughter?
09:15Three Razorgangs froze.
09:16How had the quiet Morelli daughter killed the Razorgang boss with one shot?
09:19Boss.
09:20She killed the boss.
09:22The Razorgang finally snapped out of her.
09:24You bitch!
09:25I'll kill ya!
09:27I fired before the bullet pulled the trigger.
09:29The bullet pulled through his wrist.
09:32I fired three more times without pausing.
09:34The Razorgangs reached for the weapons.
09:37In a room this tight, father Sig was all I needed.
09:40Listen, raise, fire.
09:42My body remembered every step.
09:55Spread out!
09:56Find cover!
09:57The remaining Razorgangs scrambled behind sofas and stone columns.
10:00I used the staircase railing as cover, dropped the empty magazine, and snapped in a spare.
10:06Adrian clutched his stomach and looked up through his crooked gold-rimmed glasses.
10:09He knew the silent girl who was in the basement with broken machines.
10:12I did not know this woman.
10:15How many were outside?
10:20At least thirty more.
10:22Thirty men.
10:23A direct fight would get us surrounded.
10:28Across the hall, a Razorgang crouched behind a sofa.
10:31He slowly leaned out, searching for me.
10:33I picked up a shard of crystal and threw it toward the opposite wall.
10:41Struck a stone and broke with a sharp crack.
10:43The Razorgang turned toward the sound.
10:46I rose from behind the cover of the fire.
10:47A bullet struck his head.
10:49He dropped it before he could turn back.
10:51His weapon slipped away.
10:54When?
10:57The Razorgangs were vicious, but they had no discipline.
11:00One fire crowded.
11:01Another left half his body exposed behind a column.
11:04Two more shouted over each other, giving away their positions.
11:17Lockets swallowed the hall.
11:18The women screamed.
11:21Shut up!
11:22Keep screaming if you want to die.
11:27Use your light!
11:28A tactical beam snapped on in the far corner.
11:31It swept across the floor.
11:32Searching for me, the bright source gave away the Razorgang holding it.
11:35I raised the cig and fired it.
11:37The beam spun across the ceiling, struck the floor, and went dark.
11:40Kill the light!
11:41She can see us!
11:43The Razorgang turned on to the ramp and fired it was our last position.
11:47Two of us tore into the sofa and set fragments of stone and wood across the hall.
11:52I was already somewhere else.
11:54Each moment of the flash gave me another silhouette.
11:56I turned toward every shout.
11:57My hand closed around a broken burner phone and talked.
12:00I had taken it apart that afternoon.
12:02I had left the wire and it closed and programmed the timer to beep faster and faster.
12:06One of them caught it had instinct.
12:10What is this?
12:11The phone began to beep.
12:15The first beep split the darkness and the second followed on the third.
12:19It's a bomb!
12:21The Razorgang closed the window.
12:23Many crashed into the circles and none of others.
12:25They scrambled from the sound.
12:26Their formation collapsed.
12:29When fired again, the phone became one.
12:31They fired at it and it shattered.
12:33It followed every flash and every frightened breath.
12:36The target was found.
12:41It was only five minutes on the rocket's hull, the gunfire was found.
12:45Only wounded men remained conscious.
12:47Their groans mixed with the harsh electronic heaping of an ordinary broken phone.
12:51I crossed the hall and raised the main switch.
12:54Bodies lay between shattered crystal, overturned chairs, and pools of blood.
12:57I stood in the middle of them with father's empty cig in my hand.
13:01Mother held my sister's clothes.
13:03Gordon stared from beneath the sofa.
13:06I walked through the bodies toward father.
13:14You're safe now, father.
13:18When?
13:18You...
13:19Nothing else came out.
13:20I turned to Adrian.
13:22Dust and blood covered his tailored gray suit.
13:24His gold-rimmed glasses hung crooked across his face.
13:27Adrian.
13:29Still think I belong in Mercer's scrapyard, pulling apart junk?
13:32His face drained of color, then darkened.
13:34But his eyes dropped to the gun and he swallowed whatever lecture had been coming.
13:40Who are you?
13:41Gordon crawled out from under the sofa, shaking so hard that he could barely stand.
13:46Don Moretti, is that really your fourth daughter?
13:49Father looked at the bodies, then at me.
13:55Who taught you to shoot?
13:58Don't the house!
14:00Gunfire hammered.
14:02One of our guards came.
14:03Moretti uttered to come out and fell out.
14:06They're coming in.
14:07The woman began crying again.
14:09Mother crossed the hall and pulled me into her arms.
14:13Wendt.
14:14You could have been killed.
14:18Mother, this isn't over.
14:20Another burst of gunfire rattled the shattered windows.
14:23I moved among the fallen razorbangs and searched for them.
14:26I took every usable handgun, every loaded magazine, and every loose ground I could find.
14:30Mother watched my hands work.
14:32She did not try to stop me again.
14:34Behind her.
14:35Adrian pushed himself upright against the wall.
14:37He straightened his glasses and brushed dust from his coat.
14:42Don Moretti, we can't hold them at this rate.
14:47Send someone out to negotiate.
14:50The Veils will pay whatever it takes.
14:52Cash.
14:53Tonight.
14:54He spoke as though money had restored his authority.
14:57They came for money.
14:59Give them enough and they'll leave.
15:01It is the only sensible choice.
15:04Shut up.
15:05Adrian stopped.
15:06The whole family heard me dismiss.
15:09His face tightened.
15:10He looked at me as if I had disgraced him in front of everyone.
15:15Wren.
15:16I know you helped us tonight.
15:19But that doesn't mean you understand what happens next.
15:24These men came for money and women.
15:27You killed their leader.
15:28Now they have nothing to lose.
15:31You got lucky in this room.
15:33You killed a few men who underestimated you.
15:38There are dozens more outside.
15:40You can't kill all of them.
15:42I kept checking the weapons I had taken from the Razor gangs.
15:46Put the gun down and let me handle this.
15:49Negotiation is our best chance.
15:51His voice returned to that patient, patronizing rhythm that he always used with me.
15:56Give me the cig, Wren.
15:58It's too dangerous for you.
16:02Then he reached for my gun.
16:03My hands stopped.
16:04I looked at Adrian's outstretched fingers.
16:07Then I gripped the cig by the barrel and slammed the butt into the column beside his head.
16:21Touch it again, and I'll put a hole in your head.
16:25He stared at the shattered panel.
16:28His throat moved, but no words came.
16:30I stepped toward him.
16:31He stepped back.
16:34You want to negotiate with men who hacked our security system, stormed our home, and put a gun to father's
16:41head?
16:43You think your money can fix everything?
16:45It can't.
16:47Rocco is dead.
16:51If they get inside, they'll kill every body into the sea.
16:54How many guards can still fight?
16:5812.
16:59That's all we have left.
17:0112 is enough.
17:03I tossed two recovered handguns to the nearest guard.
17:09Tell everyone in the courtyard to fall back.
17:12Put them along the second floor corridor.
17:17Father stared at me.
17:19You want us to abandon the front court?
17:21We already lost it.
17:22A bullet punched through the broken doors and buried itself in the wall.
17:27But if they reach the house?
17:29No!
17:31Listen.
17:32This building is reinforced concrete.
17:35Their rifles won't get through the walls.
17:38The courtyard gives our men nowhere to hide.
17:41Two guards back toward the entrance.
17:44The line outside is breaking.
17:46Keep them out there, and they'll die one at a time.
17:49We control every angle.
17:52Tonight, he gave me a short nod.
17:54One of the guards raised his radio and called the retreat.
17:57Leave the front doors open.
17:58Let the Razorgangs come inside.
18:00Everyone stared at me.
18:01I crossed to an old intercom panel inside the hall cabinet.
18:04I had opened it days earlier and never put the cover back.
18:07I pulled several lengths of insulated copper wire from inside.
18:12What are you doing?
18:13I ignored her and knelt near the entrance.
18:15The Razorgangs had carried fragmentation remains.
18:18I took three from the weapons I had recovered and linked them to a thin tripwire across the dark doorway.
18:23The trap was proven that every part would work.
18:25It only had to work once, and once would be enough.
18:28This is insane.
18:32You think you can fight a war with junk?
18:36This isn't one of your basement games?
18:37I finished the trap without looking at him.
18:41If you want to live, stay quiet.
18:44You still think negotiation will save us?
18:47Go outside.
18:49Find out whether they want your money or your head.
18:54The hall stayed silent.
18:56Not one person followed Adrian's plan.
18:59Even Adrian could only glare at me before joining Gordon and the women on their way to the basement.
19:03They climbed to the second floor.
19:05Flames lit the courtyard below.
19:07The Razorgangs poured through the abandoned gate,
19:09shouting as they ran toward the ground.
19:13Miss Wendt?
19:14Put your best shooters at the windows and the turn of the stairs.
19:16Do not fire until they enter the doorway.
19:19The courtyard is gone.
19:21Don Moretti ordered us to hold the courtyard.
19:23I give the orders here now.
19:24He looked into my eyes, then signaled his men into position.
19:31Below us, the Razorgangs found no resistance.
19:34They cheered.
19:34We're going to fight.
19:35Certain the lettuce had surrendered.
19:39The first group charged through the open doors.
19:42Kill the men!
19:44Take the women!
19:45The grenade detonated inside the narrative.
19:48The blast shook the floor.
19:49Smoke, shattered wood, and fragments filled the hall below.
19:54Fire.
19:55The guards pulled their triggers.
19:56Gunfire crossed from the second floor windows to the stairwell,
19:59covering the entrance from both sides.
20:01The Razorgangs below had no cover.
20:04They fell across the shattered doorway before they understood where the shots were coming from.
20:08Ambush!
20:09The survivors stumbled back into the courtyard.
20:11They abandoned their dead and hid behind stone planters and damaged vehicles.
20:15The bullets struck the concrete walls and blew sparks across the windows.
20:19They're pinned down.
20:22Not for long.
20:23Movement near the outer wall caught my eye.
20:25Two of the Razorgangs dragged a heavy weapon into position near the outer gate.
20:29A third dropped behind it and fed a belt of ammunition into the receiver.
20:33Dant followed my stare.
20:35The color left his face.
20:38What is that?
20:40An M249.
20:41Once it opened fire, no guard would be able to stay near a window.
20:44The Razorgangs would cross the courtyard and reach the stairs within minutes.
20:51Father Sig could not reach that far with Nick Atverson.
20:54I looked toward the end of the corridor.
20:56An engraved hunting rifle stood behind glass.
20:59Adrian had given it to Vivian as part of their engagement display.
21:02It was expensive, beautiful, and supposedly decorative.
21:05Bring me that rifle.
21:08That thing?
21:11Now.
21:18The rifle was heavier than it looked.
21:20Its barrel was thick and the action was still intact.
21:23But someone had disabled the firing mechanism before putting it on display.
21:27My fingers moved through the mechanism without hesitation.
21:30Every part settled where it belonged at once.
21:32And took several captured rounds from my pocket.
21:34I reshaped the casing and seeded the round.
21:37Less than 30 seconds passed.
21:39Outside, the M249 gunner finished loading the ammunition belt.
21:44Can that thing even fire?
21:48Watch.
21:51I drew one slow breath.
21:53My heartbeat settled.
21:54I centered the sight on the gunner by the outer gate.
21:56He fed ammunition into the M249.
21:59A light wind crossed the courtyard.
22:02I adjusted my aim and pulled the trigger.
22:05The hunting rifle roared.
22:06The recoil drove into my shoulder and left my arm hanging.
22:09Across the courtyard, the gunner dropped over the M249 before he could fire a single round.
22:14The ammunition belt slipped from his hands.
22:16His body folded across the weapon.
22:18The men around him stared up, unable to see the shooter anywhere.
22:22Sniper!
22:23They have a sniper!
22:25Run!
22:25They abandoned the machine gun, their rifles, and the ammunition scattered around the counter.
22:31Men stumbled over one of the M249s and the gunnered in the gate.
22:34Within minutes, the last of the Razor Gangs disappeared into the darkness beyond the estate walls.
22:38Only the wounded groaned below.
22:41I lowered the hot rifle and rubbed my aching shoulder.
22:44Dante and his guards stared at me in silence.
22:46The attack was over.
22:48Then, behind us, the basement door opened.
22:50I came out first, followed by Mother and my sisters, Gordon and Adrian.
22:54They stopped when they saw the entrance hall.
22:56The entire group drew a sharp breath once.
22:57Smoke stained the walls.
22:59The blast had torn apart the doorway.
23:01Bodies and broken furniture covered the floor.
23:04No one spoke.
23:07Adrian came up last.
23:08For the first time, there was no pity in his eyes.
23:11Only fear.
23:12His hand tightened around the railing.
23:15By dawn, the surviving staff had begun cleaning the estate.
23:20Water carried blood and pressure across the stone floor and into the drains.
23:24Father sat in his crocodile leather armchair in a smaller sitting room.
23:28He had not slept.
23:29Mother sat apart from him and kept her eyes lowered.
23:32My three sisters stayed close together.
23:35I leaned back in my chair with a brass round turning between my fingers.
23:39When?
23:42Did you build that explosive trap yourself?
23:44I used parts from the broken equipment in the basement.
23:48I threw them together.
23:51His fingers closed around the arm of his chair.
23:53He looked from me to the blast mark still visible through the open door.
23:57His eyes moved to the cig beside my chair, then back to me.
24:00He had spent his life around weapons.
24:03How much have you been hiding from us?
24:05There was caution in his voice now.
24:07I did not answer.
24:08The sitting room door opened.
24:09Adrian walked in wearing a clean, dark suit.
24:12His gold-rimmed glasses shone again, and every strand of his hair was back in place.
24:16Don Moretti.
24:17He gave Father a respectful nod, then turned to me.
24:21Wenk, I brought you something.
24:23He released the clasps.
24:24The lid opened.
24:25Black velvet lined the case.
24:27A custom silver gun with a pearl grip lay inside.
24:30A familiar polished smile had returned.
24:32This time, it never reached his eyes.
24:34Adrian turned the open case toward me.
24:37It was custom-made by one of the best gunsmiths in the country.
24:41It's for your protection.
24:43He bent closer, wearing the gentle expression he used whenever he wanted to sound generous.
24:47About last night, I misjudged you.
24:49You're much braver than I realized.
24:51Yesterday, I had been too stupid to become his wife.
24:54Now that I had value, he had found a new way to speak to me.
24:57If you enjoy working with guns, I can teach you the basics of ballistics.
25:00He smiled.
25:01We could study them together.
25:03Vivian stood near the window with her hands locked in front of her.
25:06Her teeth caught her lower lip.
25:07Her fiancé had never lowered himself like this for her.
25:10Now he was doing it for the sister they had both treated like an idiot.
25:13I said nothing.
25:15I reached into the case and lifted the gun from the velvet.
25:17Adrian's shoulders relaxed.
25:19A small, satisfied smile touched his mouth.
25:21He thought I had accepted the peace offering.
25:24The recoil is light.
25:26Perfect for a woman who...
25:30Three seconds later, the expensive pistol lay in pieces across the table.
25:34The slide landed beside the open case.
25:36The recoil spring rolled across the polished wood and stopped near Vivian's trembling hand.
25:41Adrian stopped speaking.
25:42My sister stared at the scattered parts.
25:45I picked up the silver barrel and turned it beneath the light.
25:47The finish was beautiful.
25:49The workmanship underneath was not.
25:51I checked the chamber, ran my thumb along the barrel and looked down the bore.
25:54Then I tossed it into the garbage can beside Adrian.
25:57Metal struck metal with a sharp rein.
25:59The rifling is misaligned by 0.2 millimeters.
26:02No one in the room made a sound.
26:04I brushed the dust from my fingers.
26:05This gun will jam three times in ten.
26:07I looked at Adrian.
26:09And you think this garbage qualifies you to teach me?
26:11His smile froze.
26:12Color flooded Adrian's face.
26:14The color climbed to the tips of his ears in seconds.
26:16He looked at the ruined gift, then at everyone watching him.
26:19Wank, what kind of attitude is this?
26:22I brought you a gift in good faith.
26:23You could at least show some gratitude.
26:26Adrian?
26:27I cut him off.
26:29I don't have the patience for another lecture.
26:32He backed away.
26:33One more step sent him into the Tigerhide armchair behind him.
26:36Last night, the Razorgangs had guns on my family.
26:40I held his gaze.
26:44You stayed face down and said nothing.
26:46His fingers curled at his sides.
26:48Now the sun is up, and you think you're brave again?
26:52The room went silent.
26:53Father did not interrupt me.
26:57A vein rose across his forehead.
26:59The polished mask he wore before the Moretti family finally cracked.
27:02Charity.
27:04And get out of my sight.
27:07Fine.
27:08Adrian said through his teeth.
27:09His voice shook.
27:11Fine.
27:12He turned and crossed the sitting room without looking at anyone.
27:14The door slammed behind him.
27:16He left the presentation case open on the table.
27:18He did not take the pearl grip, the scattered springs.
27:21No one moved to retrieve it.
27:22I turned back to my family.
27:24My sisters stood together.
27:25But none of them whispered or looked away.
27:27Gordon stayed near the wall and avoided my eyes.
27:30Father remained in his crocodile leather armchair.
27:33The Don who had controlled every decision in this family waited for me to speak.
27:37Yesterday.
27:38They had treated me like a burden who could be traded to any wealthy man willing to take me.
27:42Today, the entire room held its breath.
27:44Father?
27:45He lifted his eyes to mine.
27:47I was not asking for permission.
27:48The order had already changed inside this house.
27:51Everyone there knew it.
27:52From now on, I control the Moretti armory.
27:55Father did not tell me no.
27:56Father did not tell me no.
27:57Father did not tell me no.
27:57Father did not tell me no.
27:57Father did not tell me no.
27:57Father did not tell me no.
27:58Father did not tell me no.
27:58Father did not tell me no.