na

f our legitimate fronts felt

cing my master access codes and territory ma

eal breaking, I could see the blurry outlines of

gh that brief opening, their hu

gant," on

artel supplier. The exile i

up in my throat. Julian

elity to shield Valentina from the st

ation to build a spotless

down, his chin pressed hard against the knot of his tie,

he said, his

continued softly. "He was a bloodied Soldie

haustion was

ose early days

ome in blood-stained suits,

lood off his hands j

m Kevlar lining for my coat, refusing to bu

andest mafia wedding t

ifted to our l

ing on the balcon

he glittering city lig

ife worth

ion, and the foundation of

arkness-tired of the

he found

completely detached from th

te. She made him feel like

on his loyalty, M

up my lea

s the server rack-the final offshore trans

nal nature of the docume

Consigliere and pushe

ng in the ha

nce was

ociates parted l

ere walking down the c

ke a king inspec

were locked

esigner dress, clinging to J

sting against her collarbon

monial pendant

pen

rned by negotiating with cartels a

noticed

on her face, and deliberately reached up to stroke

the Capos into silence to force that insult through the council. Th

at the wrong woman. I

would learn that the wife he discarded was