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“Ready?” I ask her and she nods.

She checks for her knife in her boot and slips the gun into the back of her pants. Then, she turns around so I can lock her wrists at her back with zip ties.

I offer her a razor and she curls her hand around it. She just needs to peel off the protection to have a sharp enough object to cut through her bindings.

Outside, a black limousine waits for us. Palming her waist, I give her a reassuring squeeze before I slide an impervious mask on as he opens the door and greets me.

The guard slash driver moves toward her and our cover will be blown if he touches her, so I push her inside.

“I will have so much fun breaking you.”

Good luck with that. My woman lifts a brow at him that drips with arrogance. She’s a truly fascinating creature.

“Can we move already?” I ask, pretending to lose my patience, and then I slip in the back with her.

“How did you find her when all our men couldn’t?” he asks the moment he drives away, taking us toward the meeting place.

Luciana only lets herself be caught when she wants to. I keep that information to myself as I exchange a knowing glance with her.

“I am always two steps ahead. That’s why.”

The car falls silent, and the short drive leads us to a boat.

He’s so sure of my good intentions that he doesn’t check on her. Even if the others will do that, once we’re inside, it will be too late.

He brings the boat to a stop by a small dock, and a guard yanks her up by her elbow while the others are on high alert. She gives me an intent look that means to remain calm, and it takes everything in me to do so. No one fucking touches her. She hates it and this guard will die for his mistake.

We move down a long corridor until we come face to face with an imposing hardwood door. Knocking three times, it opens, revealing the remaining ten members seated at a long mahogany table in upholstered leather chairs.

The marble floor, thick columns, and an ancient crystal chandelier hanging from the center offer the room a regal touch. Beyond the windows, there’s a clear view of St. Mark’s Basilica—the symbol of Venetian history and culture.

Looking up, it takes everything in me not to snort at the painting of angels and demons battling for supremacy on the ceiling. Do they think they’re not only untouchable but also have a holy right to exist? Dragging them down will satisfy me greatly, and a smirk tugs at the corners of my mouth.

The members’ postures are pulled taut, eyes bouncing from left to right—all jittery and on high alert.

With two members gone, the Council of Twelve’s foundation is rattled to its core. When Donata sees her, she looks at Luciana not in disgust, but almost with reverence, which she quickly masks.

Standing up, she says in a nasal voice, reeking of importance. “We appreciate your gift. What do you want from us in exchange?”

In one swift move, I pluck the knife from my boot and slice the neck of the guard who dared to touch my woman.

Chairs screech as the members stand from their seats, glancing at each other with wide eyes, the color draining from their faces. Murmurs of indignation follow at his blood pools on the marbled floor.

Luciana frees herself from her bonds, shoots the other two, and then she locks the door.

“What is this?” another one asks, body trembling as he grips onto the chair’s arms.

“I am taking my seat back in the Council and Luciana will be the one you answer to.”

I have full trust my soon-to-be wife can lead the Council. I just want the other seat, so we always have the last say.

Donata immediately changes her demeanor from silent to striking.

“I could have you killed,” she screeches, slapping her palms on the table.

“I know how the Council operates by heart. I will follow with the traditions. We can continue our work with no control from another party,” Luciana says, oozing confidence as shetakes the seat Augustus occupied. I move next to her, completing the circle.

“This is a coup.” Donata seethes, nostrils flaring.