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Ella was determined as she pushed past the crowd gathered outside.

Instead of answering her, I said, “He left, didn’t he? We can continue our shopping. Nothing will happen.”

Ella gave me a baffled look that made her eyes go wide. “No, we’re going home. You either tell us what you’re hiding or stop talking.”

“Fine,” I muttered, sparing one last glance at the mass.

I wondered what he was doing now.

Did he miss me like I missed him?

ARKANE

“Gentlemen,” I said, walking into the room late on purpose. I had made them wait for ten minutes, and from the look on their faces, none of them was pleased. Like I gave a fuck.

The men in the room stood, all giving me a nod of acknowledgment, most out of fear or compulsion, and only one of pure hate. The Riccis. Who would’ve thought? All because of a failed promise of marriage about half a century ago.

“Cousin,” Julian greeted me with a sharp nod, his face a cold mask of calm.

Julian was my second cousin, my great-uncle’s eldest grandson. His family had been overseeing our family’s affairs in New York since the ’50s. A city that was just as important as the Twins. It was imperative that we keep a close grip on it. Julian was good at his job, so meticulous that he hardly gave me any trouble. And since the Pentalia was based in New York, they were more his pain in the ass than mine.

Alessio’s death riled them up enough to call in for an emergency meeting, and instead of going to their home, I brought them all to mine. And I could feel their disapproval of it high in the air. Again, I didn’t give a fuck. I was only at this meeting because I had no choice. Santino was against it in the first place, but I told him I would deal with it. It wasn’t like the Pentalia cared for Alessio. They were scared for their own asses.

I sat down at the head of the table, Julian to my right and an empty seat to my left. Santino wasn’t here. He’d been holed up in The Little Mermaid, not going anywhere, not even back home. It was almost as if he didn’t want what happened to be true. But it was very true, and it only made me worry for Amelia.

“You’re late, Mr. Stormhold,” Farro Ricci said as they all took their seats. “I’m a very busy man, and you’re wasting my time.” Beside him sat his son, Donte Ricci, who nodded just to appease his father. Both were exact copies of each other, with thin, sandy-colored hair, a broad face, and a round nose. Only his son lacked the cruelty Farro displayed.

“We can reschedule when the time fits you then,” I said calmly, sparing him a glance.

Farro’s lips thinned as I put him on the spot. If he agreed, then he would face my wrath, and if not, he would lose his pride.

“Whatever.” He waved a hand, puffing out a breath. “Let’s get this over with. I don’t want this to prolong for another day,” he said in an unbothered tone, but his face told me otherwise.

Except for a slight smile, I showed no reaction.

“You know why we arranged this meeting today, Mr. Stormhold. This tragedy happened on your watch.” Isaac Moretti was bold enough to approach the matter first. “You promised us that there would be no casualties on our end.”

Selfish motherfuckers. “I lost my nephew,” I snapped, eyeing him sharply. “Mine. Don’t act like you’re really concerned.”

A flush of embarrassment swept through Isaac’s face as his eyes dashed briefly to the table. He was the most timid out of the bunch, keeping his sick tendencies for the bedroom, where he fucked anything other than his wife.

“It doesn’t matter if we are or not,” Farro added in his thick Italian accent. “The Pentalia will not tolerate another loss. We’ve been doing this since way before you were born, boy. So you better be careful.”

“Is that so?” I raised a casual brow. “What will you do? No… wait.” I smiled, leaning closer. “What can you do, Ricci? Let me tell you… Absolutely nothing.”

Farro’s face turned red as he jerked to his feet. “You’d better watch who you’re talking to, Stormhold.” He pointed a furious finger my way.

“We must try to see this from all sides. Alessio was the heir to the Mancini empire,” Galliano placated, a stiff look on his face. “But he was also a Stormhold. Let’s not bring our personal matters here.”

“Who’s taking up sides now, Galliano?” Farro bit out, showing his teeth.

And with that, they went back and forth, digging up old feuds as they cursed at each other.

“Enough.” I raised my hand, putting an end to their useless argument. I knew the syndicate was a bunch of older men with outdated laws who didn’t see eye to eye with me, but they were getting on my last fucking nerve. “If you both want to take it out on each other, do it elsewhere. Just don’t waste my time,” I steeled in a low tone that encased the room in silence.

“He’s right, gentlemen,” Julian added in his deep, monotonous voice, eyeing them both. “Let’s not forget what we came here for.”

They both quieted, their cheeks still flushed with anger, but Farro finally nodded and sat back down, while Galliano lost some of his tension and looked away.