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“What are you thinking about?” Mika asks, worry lacing his voice.

I cock my head, smirking. This new goal rewires my brain, bringing me back to life. “I want the Council shaken to its foundation.”

“We talked about this. It will take time, Enzo.”

I wave him off, not bothered at all by this minor obstacle. “Not necessarily. My cousin is not the brightest. So, what would happen if someone whispers in his ear that taking down the Boston heir will benefit him while helping the ones who want the Syndicate eradicated?”

His eyes widen. “You want to involve the Syndicate?”

With the plan forming in my head, it dispels the thick fog, making everything clearer. “Without them knowing.”

His brows furrow. “It’s risky.”

“They will rise to the challenge. I will take it as a favor they owe me for becoming their associate. It seems fair, but I’ll get what I want in the end.”

“And what is it you want?”

“Retribution. The power will be just a bonus.” I stand up. “Smile, my friend. We’ll get everything we wanted by not shedding one drop of blood or using even a single one of our resources.”

He places his elbows on his thighs and steeples his fingers. “I don’t know if that plan of yours is brilliant or plain stupid.”

I guess we’ll see and until then, all I have to do is wait, moving the pieces on my board to ensure I win.

Not wasting any time, I call my contact on the Council, a friend of my father’s who has played the game for a long time. All the members are ready to end Augustus’s reign and his assassin. I told Luciana she should make friends. Now, she’ll see what happens when she’s all alone with no protection.

And then she will be trapped—at my mercy.

Fully recharged, I count down the days until my plan will come to fruition. I’ve always wanted things to happen fast, eager to get whatever I sought as soon as possible. But the best revenge takes patience, allows your enemy time to get sloppy and forget they should be on constant alert.

I can’t wait to inform Luciana I threw the first stone.

***

Keeping myself busy has helped me curb my desire for retribution.

First step was to become an associate of the Syndicate.

Kieran, Cato, and Cameron don’t make a secret out of wanting to gather as much power as humanly possible. It is plain strategy on my part to affiliate with them.

I meet them at their headquarters in Boston. A party is in full swing, a story above, but I don’t care about anything but making this deal.

In his office, Kieran stares at me with sharp eyes that seem intent to look through me to discover my deepest secrets. He won’t find mine. Working together will guarantee both of our organizations flourish.

We shake hands, and I stay a little longer, trying to enjoy their VIP party, but I am not in the mood, even though I enjoy seeing Cato so rattled by me just having talked to his wife.

I leave him to deal with his misfortune on his own.

I fly back home, waiting for another piece to fall in place.

The jet lag is killing me, but I am so close to reaching my goal that I push myself. There’s this unshakable feeling that if I stop, then I will never fulfill my goal.

Days, nights, they blend into a cacophony of actions. Playing the master puppeteer is difficult when one thing could ruin everything you worked for.

I am about to sign a construction deal when Mika rushes into our conference room, and says, “Cato is in the fucking hospital. Luciana shot him three times. Fuck.” He rakes his hands through his hair.

I know he’s split between killing her himself, so the Syndicate doesn’t have time for retribution or letting them make the first move.

My plan has been flawless until now. Now I must come up with something more to give them, so they don’t kill Luciana, but send her my way.