I didn’t tell them who I was. I wanted to live a normal life while I was here.
I kept that secret for years… until I had no other choice but to reveal who I was so we could take down a common enemy.
I’m grateful the brotherhood didn’t turn their backs on me after that.
Sure, they were shocked.
But the shock wore off, and not much has changed in how they treat me.
Except Skip.
He likes to use my name to strike fear into anyone who pisses him off… and he takes full advantage of my jet privileges.
I smile.
Crazy man.
I adore them all.
Even with thoughts of my family…both Moretti and Shadows…filling my mind, my heart still aches with loneliness.
Especially when I hear thedonnetelling the children to stop screaming becauseil Donis trying to sleep.
I smile...but the knowledge that none of those giggles or the patter of bare feet belong to my own daughter cuts deeper than I care to admit.
“All is well,” I call out, not wanting their play to stop.
“He’s awake,” a child whispers excitedly. “Maybe he wants to play.”
My estate houses five families in the main house and another ten in the homes we’ve built across the property.
The main estate is where schooling and dinners take place.
So it’s never quiet here.
Between those fifteen families, there are thirty-nine children of varying ages.
There are also three more young ones whose families were killed in the Los Fantasmas attack a couple of years ago.
This estate is the most protected location I have because of the number of precious lives under my roof.
New York is the largest base of my empire, and just as heavily protected.
One reason is that my twin runs it.
His safety is my highest priority there.
The second… is deception.
It’s where the world believes I reside…thanks to my brother’s handsome face.
It wouldn’t take much digging to uncover that I have a twin, but most of the men I do business with aren’t nearly as clever as they think they are.
As much as he hates being part of this life, it was Stefano’s idea to take New York.
To stand in my place.
To wear my face.
