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“Every man’s demise or success is because of the woman he has by his side. I accept it either way,” I say matter-of-factly.

“So, you have no problem sleeping with one eye open. You’ll never know if I want to kill you again.”

Sure. She can tell herself that if that helps her cope with reality.

“Preferably with your mouth around my cock, or even better with your pussy on my face.”

“You’re impossible.”

“You still fell for me, Luciana. None of us is sane. Let’s rule this world and infect it with our madness.”

“Spilling blood, fucking like crazy… hmm, sounds appealing.”

With her by my side, I’d become unstoppable. For a moment, I can’t believe this is reality, not a scenario my subconscious conjured while I was asleep. I shake my head to ground myself in the here and now.

“See you at home. Love you.”

She hangs up without a reply. If she wants to play games with me, she’ll see what happens. My cock turns to steel, only thinking of punishing her and fucking her hard. But nothing puts a damper on my desire like the drive to the compound.

The guards open the wrought-iron gates, and I drive down the long road before I park in front of the mansion.

I see my sister lounging by the pool in a white linen dress. She appears like a damn angel of light—innocent and unperturbed by the horrors of our life, even though she experienced the most horrific aspects of it.

Approaching her, she stands up from the chaise lounge, and her demeanor becomes colder.

“Your men are talking. You should know better than to put yourself in the position of appearing weak.”

“You and Mika should look after your own lives rather than constantly meddling in mine.”

She places her hands on her hips, sticking the tip of her nose in the air. “Well, big brother, we both care that you are sleeping with a cobra that could strike you at any moment.”

My jaw sets in a hard line, so fucking done with having to repeat myself. “She won’t.”

“So confident when you have trouble trusting even us.” She turns on her heel and marches inside, shutting the door with enough force the door hinges rattle.

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I let myself into the foyer.

Edgy notes flow through the air, each key hit with precision, revealing sheer talent, and unmistakable passion.

Piano is my sister’s escape and prison in one. She loves and bleeds for her instrument while we, mere mortals, have the fortune to be in the presence of such heavenly music.

I lean back against the wall, the sounds usually bring me some peace of mind, but that’s not happening today. Not when I know as long as my sister thinks Luciana is a threat, she will never welcome her into the family. As if that’s not enough, she has Mika on board and those two will obviously influence my mother.

They’ll learn not only to accept her but like her. Beneath that icy and arrogant exterior hides a passionate, loyal, and good woman.

My mother descends the stairs, and I rush to help her.

“Mio figlio,” she says and then she hears how my sister changes the tune, playing something even darker.

“What did you do to upset her?” she asks with a raised brow.

I accompany her to the sitting room, hoping the beautiful view over the backyard garden will make the talk smoother.

“Don’t worry about us, Mother,” I say and we sit down in the armchairs by the coffee table.

“That’s not how it works.” She smiles gently and pats me on the knee.

“This woman of yours is causing quite a ruckus.”