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“Luciana. You brought shame on this family. Consider yourself excluded.”
She blinks, opening and closing her mouth like a gutted fish on its last breath, before she slips out. She’s not stupid. Her exclusion means no more protection and as expected she sneaks out.
“Be her fucking shadow.” I order my man to follow her. It would have been easier to deal with her here and now, but I want her constantly looking over her shoulder, desperate enough to try again to get to me, the man responsible for her demise. I can’t fucking wait. I return my attention to the meeting.
“Two mistakes are two too many,” the oldest adds, his sharp eyes moving from her to all the others. The room explodes in a ruckus of arguments before the eldest cuts his hand through the air like a whip that has everyone silent in the next instant.
“I understand your concerns, but we’ve never dealt with someone like them. Let’s not let our egos blind us from doing what’s important, and that is keeping our family protected. They’re impressive young men with skills you can’t buy. I vote to give them a chance.”
He sets his eyes on the youngest, a power-hungry heir who overestimates himself. Adamo Santino. The one responsible for the hit. The one who in his arrogance thought he could take us down and then present to the Council what he did, earning their praise.
“So, you’ll offer me up to them on a fucking platter?” Adamo slaps his palms on the table.
“You disregarded the vote and went on with your plan of taking the Syndicate down behind our backs. Actions have consequences. Always.”
Adamo looks at the other members for support, but he’s not getting it. Their egos are bruised, and they need a scapegoat.
I stride inside and smile at them, and even the eldest sighs.
“We agree to your conditions.” He wisely speaks for the group.
“Good.”
“We’ll be in touch soon.”
“Of course,” I say through gritted teeth, “but let me repeat, if I haven’t made myself clear. I’m not, and will never be, your bitch. Never forget that.”
After another collective gasp, I continue. “Now, have a wonderful day, ladies and gentlemen.”
They scamper up, muttering under their breaths. They all trickle out, and Adamo shoots to his feet, trying to reason, plead. There’s nothing I loathe more than entitled pricks giving orders but never putting themselves in the line of fire. I drive my elbow in his neck. He coughs, sputters, and stumbles on his ass.
“Shut the fuck up. You’ll wish for death soon anyway.” I jerk my chin, and two guards heave him up.
I call Kieran. “I have him, and they accepted our terms.”
“And I was ready to come over.”
“Do you actually sound disappointed it went this smoothly? I am speeding up the building of our house.”
“Fuck you. And now get your ass home and take your wife with you.”
“Where is she?”
“With Aurora.”
I hang up, and Cameron calls. “I heard the good news. I wish I was there to see their faces.”
“I can send you the feed.”
“No, it won’t be as entertaining as seeing Kieran gutting that motherfucker. Do you think I’ll get a chance at him?”
“You wouldn’t stop until he’s dead. And Kieran wants to prolong his suffering.”
“True.”
***
On the jet, I lean my head back, my body rippling with longing. Soon, I’ll have Chiara in my arms.
