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“You’d be dead, so it would be more for me,” he says matter-of-factly.

We both chuckle, our brotherhood the only serene and easy thing in our lives.

He’d paint Venice red with their blood. That’s why I don’t understand why they would risk a war between us. The contract between the Ferraras and the Council doesn’t have an expiration date. My father assured me that the Council would never bother us, that he settled things with Augustus, and he will hold on to his end of the bargain. So why would my foolish cousin risk that? The intel shows he’s not a savvy businessman. To kill someone so beneath me doesn’t prove a challenge, but with the expansion of the Syndicate and the Council’s threat, it feels like after months of a break, I am served a six-course meal of problems.

“I’m heading to the club,” he says, slapping a palm on my shoulder before he puts the empty glass on the coffee table.

“Enjoy your night.” Even though I doubt that.

“Maybe I will.”

I let out a noncommittal sound. He doesn’t have a personal life either. We live for the BRACON organization—the Bratva and Cosa Nostra united—something that is unique in the world and maybe that’s why our enemies have become warier of us.

Our partnership hasn’t wavered since we took over four years ago, and nothing will shake its foundation.

The elevator doors close, and I finish my drink. After I discard my empty glass next to his, I walk inside my home office.

Powering up my laptop, I open the file I received on Silver Death. She’s an undeniable beauty and a lethal weapon combined—a truly fascinating woman.Don’t come for me. Don’t make me kill you. It would be a shame. I stare at her profilewith her long silver hair and matching eyes, the lithe body of an athlete and the grace of a panther—she’s flawless, the type of woman who intrigues men, especially those who enjoy a good challenge, like me. I lean back in my chair, contemplating my next move.

I grab my phone from my desk and press call, knowing my sister is awake. She fills her days and nights with activities, and how she manages to function remains a mystery. But if overworking herself helps her cling to sanity, then so be it.

She picks up after the second ring.

“I need you to tell me when someone arrives in town.”

I have an entire team monitoring the airport and cameras across the city. Dahlia is one of them, working part-time when she’s not practicing the piano or giving concerts at the hall downtown.

I send her the picture of Luciana Rossi and my sister gasps. “That’s the Council’s assassin.”

My need to comfort her has me lying instantly. “It doesn’t have to mean anything. We don’t know yet.”

“Stop trying to protect me. She’s here for you. Promise me—” Her voice breaks at the end and sucker punches me with a potent resolution.

“Nothing will happen to me.”

“Do you think there is someone out there for every one of us? I think there is, even though we are who we are and live the life we do, but… Forget it. I don’t even know what I am saying anymore.” Her sweet voice is heavy with exhaustion.

“You should go to bed. You need your sleep.”

“Sleep can’t give me what I need. Nothing ever does… what I want, I will never have.”

Before I can ask her what that is, because I would give her anything she wants, she hangs up. Whatever she wishes, she believes it’s impossible to achieve, even for me.

Throwing my head back, I grip the arms of the chair, trying to control the fury roiling inside me. I would love nothing more than to get my hands on those who hurt her. But I’ll never get the chance. Mika killed them. My chest aches with the reminder that some things are impossible, even for me. I can’t make things right by her again.

Getting my shit together, I go through tonight’s profits from the legit businesses including transportation, hotels, real estate, clubs, and restaurants before running through other ones: guns, drugs, and a plethora of other goods, and then speak with our men to ensure things went smoothly.

Problems are rare. We keep Reno as clean as possible. We know who we are, and the people suspect what we do, but the devil you know is better than the one you don’t. Plus, we give back, not to atone for our sins, but to maintain acceptance of our dealings. Thousands of people work for us as our influence spans throughout Nevada and California.

The city has thrived and grown under our influence. That’s why I am pro peace, so the bloodshed and our criminal dealings don’t provoke intolerance. We rule from the shadows. To be exposed in the open would be unfathomable.

While we have everyone in check, there are always vigilantes hoping to put an end to the criminal underground—a utopia that still appeals to many. As if our nature could be ever so moral as to think we could uproot the balance of good andbad, right and wrong. These elements are interconnected, and as long as humans exist, our nature will maintain this duality.

I don’t want the attention, and we do whatever is necessary to keep the peace in Reno and the surrounding area. I’d bring the bloodshed somewhere else just to keep my home clean, but again, the industrial area on the outskirts of town is ours. It’s where Mika indulges in his favorite pastime, drawing tears, blood, and screams from those who cross us.

Each of us is the head of our own family, and we share a building where we conduct business, even though Mika prefers to be more in the office of his club, Debauchery. The name wasn’t chosen randomly. Everything goes. Nothing is forbidden.

We complete and complement each other. We only listen to each other and take accountability in front of the other. We give the orders. Our men execute them and follow our lead. That’s the law.