na

ttempted to return home at a civilized h

functional form. We were two wary generals observing

rashed open, the sound an act of vio

en and stood at the top o

ing like a listing ship. He smelled of expensive whiskey, the sharp tan

d into a tight,

to the cold marble floor. His massive frame

slowly, my expression a

es were bloodshot and unfocused. He looke

fe," he mumbled. "My loyal

vows of our wedding, the wo

e rasped. "Why do you look at

I took a deliberate step back, refusing even the proximity of his warmth. I did not reach

ame toward me, seeking an anchor. He stumbled, his weight collapsing against my shoulder, forcing me t

ress, but the patch of skin he touched erupted in a cold, prickling dread.

d away, the rejection a palpable weight u

ust before the door shut behind him, he turn

ate

ous, yet it sounded l

ent. But the gunpowder was fresh. And I knew, from my casino intelligence network, that Sofia's south side operation had

younger brother, Leo, c

him clear of the Family's business and its instruments of

ished. He became the perfect, welcoming brother

an feast. The kitchen filled with the aroma of roasted garlic, fresh tomatoes, an

lawless pe

His sharp eyes scanned my face, a searchlight sw

" he asked. "The very air in this hous

had sensed the dangerous tension vibrating

when Lorenzo would have burned a city block to see me s

, Leo," I lied. "The new territor

smoothly, allowing no cra

onvinced, but he respected m

ompanies had triggered a cascade of financial anomalies that three allied Families had noticed. The s

a large box of imported goods. He grabbed the

t of the city's dark corners. If anyone tr

and absolute-the voice of a m

ll fiercely protective of my bloodline, even as

lked back into the kitchen

le island. He looked utterly exhausted, the

a," he said. "He sees wh

hands flat on the counter. "We must have a sit-

d wiped the spotless m

," I replied flatly.

ed to

d the island and seized my arm. His grip was a d

"My dealings with Sofia were a matter of Family busine

violently against

y veins turned to a boi

at his hand on my arm. Then, I looked

me the truth of the telephone calls on the balcony in the dead of night. Tell me of the secrets you carried

s grip w

iron. The color drained from his face. He looked as if I ha

mouth, but n

s. I turned and walked down the hallwa

eavy oak doors. I heard Lorenzo sprint

the door! E

t the wood, the sound like

d pulled out a silver lighter and a pack of cigarettes,

he lighter. The small flame illuminated the dark

acrid smoke, while the most dangerous man in

than I had initially calculated. Sofia had siphoned nearly twelve million dollars over eighteen months. And the pattern of with

saving a man who had let another woman into our shadows. So I kept the ledgers close, a secr