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Instead, he became obsessed with taking over my life. He went so far as to convince himself he could make Falynn fall in love with him. He lived a numb, difficult life that’s over now. A part of me will continue wondering what could’ve been if my brother had been stable. If he’d taken his medication and beat his addiction and demons, but it’s probably for the best he’s gone. The second I pulled the trigger, he seemed at peace.
No more suffering through this life.
With them gone, my path ahead is clear. I’m no longer ruling over just a city. I’m ruling over an empire.
A whole fuckingkingdomof power and wealth.
The afternoon’s spent with me briefing my men about the path ahead. Louis stands dutifully by my side, my right hand through and through. In the coming months, I’ll be returning to the east, where I’ll take over as Don. We’ll continue spreading our influence and strengthening our operations across the country, likely with new enemies and threats emerging.
I welcome the challenge. Any family who dares to go up against us will suffer the consequences. They’ll wind up like every one of my enemies before them—six feet under.
By the time our meeting ends and I finish checking in with the rest of our operation, I’m eager to return to the penthouse. I promised Falynn another evening alone.
“Does she know about your move back east?” Louis asks once we’re in the private elevator. “I think Miss Falynn’s always lived on the west coast.”
“She’ll find out when I propose. She’ll adjust.”
“You sure you don’t need a big, 6’5”, 280-pound enforcer type on that Greek vacation?”
I clap him hard on the back. “Funny you ask. I was thinking we could use some extra security.”
“It’d be nice to invite Miss Falynn’s friend, too. Just throwing that out there.”
“You’re pushing it.” I leave him out in the hall as I unlock the door to the penthouse. It’s quiet inside, the dying sunlight penetrating the wide wall-to-wall windows.
“Falynn?” I call, unclasping my watch. “Honey, what do you think about going out to dinner tonight? How about Mastro’s Ocean Club?”
The silence only sounds louder when my greeting goes unanswered. I’m hit with an unsettling premonition I can’t describe. My senses sharpen, and I stride through the living room, shooting straight for the bedroom.
“Falynn?!”
I push the doors open and stop short. I have to say I wasn’t expectingthis.
Falynn sits on the edge of our bed, her eyes red and puffy. In her hands is the small black box with her engagement ring. She must’ve found it in the closet while I’ve been out.
Her reaction only unsettles me more.Whyis she crying?
I walk into the room, my expression neutral despite my confusion. “What’s the matter? Something bad happen? You found the ring?”
“It’s beautiful,” she says.
But her tone betrays her words. It’s glum and quiet, like bad news is on the way.
“I’m sure it cost a lot,” she goes on, glancing at the box in her hand.
“Cost doesn’t matter. Why are you upset?” I ask, moving closer. I slide the ring box out of her grasp and stow it in my pants pocket. Jokes during serious situations aren’t my style, but her tears make me want to cheer her up somehow. I sit down beside her, my arm wrapping around her shoulders. “Is the idea of being married to me that depressing? What are all these tears for?”
It’s only after I sit down and glance into her lap that I notice she’s been holding onto something else. I recognize what it is at the same moment she tells me.
“Gio,” she says, sighing. “I’m pregnant.”
