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LORENZO
The pretty waitress refills my wine glass with cabernet, but I don’t take my eyes off my cell phone’s screen. I watch as Amelia searches my bedroom, as far as the chain will allow her, for what I assume is something she can use as a weapon. Day one, and she’s already proven to be a naughty pet.
I sense my brother as he enters the casino restaurant but don’t look up.
“What are you smiling about?”
I watch Amelia another few seconds before setting my phone on the white tablecloth and peering at my brother, Settimo, taking his seat. Conversation that previously spilled through the room has taken a slight lull from people gawking at his presence. If his six foot four, large frame wasn’t enough to draw their attention, the ruthless aura he carries around with him would be. It’s how I know when he’s entered a room.
I flick my gaze toward the door and frown. “Is Anthony not with you?”
“He’s on his way.”
Settimo picks up his already filled wine glass and swirls the liquid, watching it closely like he’s trying to spot poison in it or something equally baffling. Then he takes a sip.
“So,” he says, setting the glass down. “I heard you’re having a party I’m not invited to.”
My jaw tics and I instinctively glance at my phone. Settimo’s eyes follow.
I shrug and Settimo’s eyes move back to me. “I didn’t suspect you’d want to attend.”
“Because of your special guest? Or the fucked up display you’re bound to have?”
“Both.”
Settimo’s eyes narrow, and he glances around the room before leaning toward me. “Anthony said you had a collar on the girl this morning.”
“Apparently, Anthony says plenty he shouldn’t.”
“Jesus, Lorenzo.” Settimo glances around again when his voice booms even with him obviously trying to be discreet. “Don’t you think you’re taking this a little far?”
I move my eyes to my wine glass and roll my thumb around the stem. My jaw tics, but otherwise the muscles in my face remain relaxed. Flames flicker beneath my skin from Settimo’s words, and my own thoughts coax the fire, gently breathing life into it until it roars.
I don’t expect either of my brothers to understand what my animals mean to me. I don’t expectanyoneto understand, and that’s fine. I’m used to it. But I’m not in the mood to justify myself.
“Lorenzo.”
I meet Settimo’s eyes just in time to see Anthony entering the restaurant out of my periphery. He walks straight to the table and slides into an empty chair next to me.
“Sorry I’m late. I was looking into Valentine’s assets.” I feel Anthony’s eyes land on me, but I’m still staring at Settimo. He stares back, but I’m not convinced it’s because he cares what I do to some girl. He just can’t bring himself to back down from a challenge.
The thing about Settimo is he has to win. No matter how small the prize or how large the cost, he makes sure of it. It’s been that way since we were kids, and I’m almost certain it’ll be the cause for his demise someday.
“I know you said you don’t want to act now, but I think it’s best if we’re prepared. Valentine has…” Anthony’s words trail off and his chair scrapes the floor as he shifts. “Did I interrupt something?”
I lift my lips into a slight smirk before dragging my eyes away from Settimo and looking at Anthony. “How is it that Settimo and I can manage to drive down the strip in lunchtime traffic to make it toyourrestaurant in time to meet you, but you are incapable of showing the same courtesy?”
Anthony narrows his eyes. “If you were listening—”
“Your office is in the building, Anthony,” Settimo adds.
My lips quirk and I take a sip of wine while Anthony shifts his glare to Settimo. Humor fills Settimo’s eyes even as his lips draw tight to emphasize the admonishment. Anthony is never on time. Never. At times it can be infuriating, but it’s who he is.
“As I was saying.” He turns back to me. “Valentine has a resort being built in Ward Two. I think we should get Colter to delay it.” Colter, our cousin and the councilman of Ward Two.
“Way to think big, Anthony.” Settimo says, sarcasm heavy in his tone.
Anthony’s jaw clenches, and I hold in my laugh. He’s four years younger than me, which makes him the baby of the family. That’s despite being a grown man with several five-star restaurants that serve as fronts for money laundering, but that I know for a fact he’s proud of. He hates it when we don’t take him seriously.
