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“Why? You two have everything you need and then some. We padded the accounts with all the liquidation of the New York businesses, and?—”

“That’s just it. He feels responsible to the people he left behind. Unprotected, easy picking for someone else to prey on.”

“Well, that’s something we weren’t sure how to bring up?—”

Adriano

“You pretty much stay with your foot in your mouth all the time now, huh?” Alessandro mocks, swinging at my arm.

“It’s actually good for my arches. Ancient orthopedic technique.”

“The fuck are you talking about?”

“Uh. Nothing.” I feel a flood of blood rushing to my face. Fucking hell. I get so used to babbling with Gloria all the time that it comes blubbering out at the worst times.

Namely when I’m trying to talk shop with my brother.

“You know, I like this side of you. You always tried to play it cool as my second. I’ll let you in on a secret, you never were. Thatpacing and pep talking yourself thing you do is not as subtle as you think.”

“You’re a rat bastard.”

“I’m a great older brother! You know what kind of ammunition that is? I could have wrecked your entire childhood with embarrassing stories.”

“Nah, growing up in the mafia ruined our childhood.” I open my hands, shrugging.

“I thought it really brought out the best in me,” Ciro’s cackle rains down on us from above.

“Get the fuck off my roof, you jackass!” Aless barely dodges Ciro’s dangling foot.

“It’s pronouncedShakal, as in, Shaq All-Star, Boom-Shakalaka, or Love Shakal.”

“You blew it,” I say disapprovingly, jerking his leg hard enough to pull him from his seat.

“I can neither confirm nor deny that allegation. He was just so damn pretty.”

“The Gulag really broke your brain, didn’t it?” Aless grumbles, smirking.

“It unlocked my true potential. Who would have thought I’d be the head of the Bratva?!”

“No one in their right mind.” I cringe.

“And no one who knows who isrealleader of Volk. Hm?” Vanya joins us the normal way, walking around the house sidewalk, holding hands with little Myka. “Go find your cousins,shchenok.”

“They will make me their queen and then bring me cookies,” Myka says very seriously, nodding to herself. As usual, her eyes are wide, almost surprised looking. Ciro’s kid. Fucking wild.

“She is terrifying.” Aless nods solemnly.

“Takes after her mom for sure.” Ciro shrugs.

“And her mom takes her leave to go speak with the better halves of this family.”

“The audacity…” Ciro pouts.

“See? Always ungrateful. Just like you, Adri.” Aless fidgets with the pack in his pocket, glancing at the gals.

“You’re one to talk. What’s this I hear about you coming out of retirement?”

Gloria