Page 4

“Why there?” His accelerated breath gives him away. He failed the test, which only makes me eager to complete this mission and find my answer.

A slight disappointment claws its way inside of me, but he’s just a man after all, flawed like the rest of them. The only difference is I can’t kill him. While I don’t respect anyone or any authority, worldly or otherworldly, I don’t detest him, per se. My savior from a life of servitude. He was no God, but through my teenage eyes, he appeared just like one, imposing, strong, emanating authority. And he gave me my first taste of power. I owe him, so this betrayal causes me mental discomfort I don’t know how to deal with yet.

“I’ve never been there.” I take a brief vacation once a year, just to be myself for a while.

“It’s overcrowded and not as glamorous as you’re used to.”

I like pretty things and pretty things are expensive. I splurge. Mother Gloria had always called me vain. I call it self-care.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re trying to keep me from going,” I say in a playful tone.

“It would only make you leave even sooner. Where exactly?”

“East Coast. Want to find out if New York lives up to the hype.”

“Good choice to indulge in your shopping addiction,” he chuckles.

“I make good use of your money.”

“Never regretted my most costly investment.”

Yes, because that’s what I am, but that costly investment is irreplaceable.

“Anything else you need before I leave?” I ask, changing the subject, wanting to erase the sour taste his words leave in my mouth.

“No. Luciana?”

“Yes?” I reply automatically. Every muscle in my body has been trained to serve this man.

“Searching for answers only leads to problems. Don’t make me have to put you in your place.”

Tension stretches, hanging on the line like an unwelcome spy.

“I won’t.” My heart races as I speed on a one-way, lethal trek, chasing the truth. I don’t care if I have to lie and cheat to pursue my goal. I won’t be deterred.

Nothing will go wrong. It shouldn’t take me more than a few days and then I can return home to a place that is not mine. To a family I am not related to. To a man I’ll serve until my last breath—devotion mixed with duty, admiration interwoven with disdain. Iron cuffs keeping me in my place.

My father’s last words to me were, “What you can build can be taken away. Power, money, life itself are temporary. There’s only one certainty in life—your death.” Even if it’s been years, I wonder if he felt his end was coming.

Restlessness swirls inside of me just like the amber liquid in my crystal glass. Tossing it back, the burn swiftly turns into a soothing taste. I never overindulge. Routine brings me comfort. Being in control, especially over myself, is how I rule over my empire.

Standing up, I walk toward the floor to ceiling windows. Beneath me, my kingdom spreads. Reno is not only my city, it’s home. A surge of pride rushes through me. Along with my best friend Mikhail, the Pakhan and the head of the Morozov family, we’ve turned Reno into our playground, where nothing happens without our knowledge or approval.

The bloody power wars are long gone. I don’t mind sharinginfluence with my brother, even if we aren’t blood related. The distrust ended with our fathers’ deaths. We decided to do better, unite our forces to create a stronger base of power. That doesn’t mean there aren’t people who try to take what’s ours. They’ve tried and failed.

Over the years, I’ve heard it all, that we’re too young, too inexperienced to lead our families, but we proved them wrong and now all those enemies are dead.

I have no ties to Italy, nor to the Council of Twelve. They stay out of my business, and I stay out of theirs. It’s worked for decades, yet my position demands I always remain alert. That’s why I have my spies everywhere. Although I was informed about my uncle’s passing, I didn’t worry until one of my spies reported that my cousin wants me dead.

This is my city. I paid in blood to secure my reign. There were sacrifices to get me where I am. The world is brutal, ours even more so. Staying in my penthouse in the city, rather than at the family compound, allows me to maintain the illusion that I am not constantly haunted by guilt and regrets.

I lost not only my father on that day, but my sister as well. I’ve gained a brother instead. He was the one to bring Dahlia back. He was the one to swear his loyalty to me and our cause first. We would die for each other, but as long as we’re alive, we ensure the other is fine.

The elevator pings and Mika walks inside, having the code and keycard just like I have his. Our men disgruntledly work together because of our bond.

“One of those nights?” he asks, going to the bar to pour himself a drink. Dressed in all black as if he’s in perpetual mourning, he’s all sharp edges and deadly vibes. So far downin a violent haze, he seems to need it to purge the demons that torment him. He has fought in every club we own in the city, in vain. Nothing gives him peace. Nothing soothes him, only more blood.

I shrug. “Another potential death threat can put you in a mood.” I should care more, but these days it feels like my life consists of an endless string of nothingness that has numbed me. The small pleasures in my life ended a long time ago. Even sex, alcohol, parties, purchases, success and money lose their appeal when you can get them with the snap of a finger.