someone, and release a slow breath when I see Ilya Sevostyanov. He al

e of sterner stuff. But Ilya is loyalty person

Siro Vozzella are at

s wanting to hear. I finish my last s

, and w

sive bulk and the city lights glaring through the floor-to-ceiling windows, it's easy to miss his consigliere a

lio drawls. "You have a lot of men with blood on

. I don't see how that

luential as my own enterprise, but they're a problem nonetheless. I might be willing to forget what has happened between u

im," I say. "I don't understa

os won't mess with the Alekseiev Bratva. But they will aggravate my family, i

nario proves that you're

with the dock-lo

stole from

you need us

u. I don't need

me growing, but I don't give a fuck. The Italian bastard is clearly tr

"Without it, you can't expand your business at all. If you want this partnership to work, I ne

the death of one minor don might be a smal

"Okay, Duilio. As a token of my goodwill, I

"I don't want your 'professio

ein lies

be insulting if it weren't so transparent. Blood on my hands and him with the ability to connect

far fro

All I do is shake my head. "No,

ing, and fixes me with his watery gaze. "I was under the impression that you were quite skilled at eli

g to rumors. They can clo

itical. It's just that you're more l

The line has

like that and live

b a pen from the cup on the table, and jab

on, I see Siro lurch for

unge at the scrawny advisor. He blocks my first thrust, but I swing my fist into his r

k and gripping as tightly as I can. His hands grab my wrists, trying to pul

re his hands fall to his

g until I'm cer

ngers and shake off the stiffness. Adrenaline is coursing through my sys

o take one deep brea

around to look at him. His facial features are smooth,

sion doesn't change. "Speak openly, Il

ldiers in the beginning, it was dangerous. We all knew that, but as you foresaw, it was necessary. But this is the don. This could lead to a war with h

e or entrap me. Either way, they had no interest in being allies. We'll just have to wait to see how Duilio's son reacts to the murder-if he cares about power a

once. "U

he crew. I ha

e and head towar

back. And Mr. Sevostya

g from the ballroom, but by this time of the night, there are more than a few empty parking spots out front. Wh