Chapter 16 - THE ROMANO NAME
The Romano family had spent three generations treating its name like armor.
Sofia did not care.
At school, she continued using Alvarez.
Luca struggled with that initially.
“She’s my daughter.”
Elena crossed her arms.
“She’s also been Sofia Alvarez for seven years.”
“I’m not trying to erase that.”
“Then don’t.”
Luca looked toward Alessandro for support.
Alessandro shook his head.
“Wrong audience.”
Eventually Luca understood.
Being Sofia’s father did not require stamping Romano over everything that existed before him.
He petitioned for legal recognition.
He did not demand a name change.
When the paperwork became official, Sofia asked one question.
“Does this mean Uncle Alessandro has to buy me birthday presents?”
Alessandro nodded solemnly.
“Unfortunately.”
She smiled.
That summer, Alessandro began changing the company.
Romano Maritime had legitimate divisions worth protecting.
It also had relationships Alessandro no longer wanted.
Men his father trusted because they inspired fear.
Agreements enforced through intimidation.
Accounts nobody discussed openly.
The attempt on his life forced a realization.
Power without transparency had created the perfect environment for Enzo.
Everyone knew enough to obey.
Too few people knew enough to question.
Alessandro started dismantling that system.
Some men objected.
One accused him of making the family weak.
Alessandro dismissed him.
Another warned that enemies would interpret reform as fear.
Alessandro answered.
“Then let them.”
Marco supported the changes.
Luca did too.
The old guard did not.
One night, a black envelope appeared on Alessandro’s desk.
No one knew how it got there.
Inside was a photograph of Sofia leaving school.
On the back were six words.
Your father understood how power works.
Alessandro stared at the picture.
The old Alessandro would have responded with force immediately.
The new one called Marco.
Then law enforcement.
Then the school.
Sofia’s security changed quietly.
He did not tell her someone wanted her frightened.
He refused to give the sender that satisfaction.
Three days later, investigators identified the source.
A former Romano associate named Carlo Vieri.
He had lost money when Alessandro terminated certain old arrangements.
Carlo expected retaliation.
Instead, he received charges.
When Marco told Alessandro, he smiled.
“Disappointed?”
“A little.”
“You wanted to handle him yourself?”
Alessandro looked toward Sofia playing in the garden.
“No.”
May you like
“I wanted to.”
“That’s different.”
