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The first time you burned your patron saint, you entered in.

The last time it burned, you left with it.

Dead.

"For safekeeping.”

He nodded. “Proceed.”

"Thank you.”

The door creaked when I opened it wide. The walls were covered with pictures from generation after generation of theAlfero family. Several sculptures of patron saints were scattered around the room on different tables with candles lit.

And in the very front, a row of candles and a cross.

Dante, in my opinion, had been the most religious of all of the bosses. I never asked him why, figuring even if I did he wouldn’t offer me the truth.

I just knew that there wasn’t a day when a candle was not lit in this room—I would know, because for two years it was my job to make sure of it.

I took a shift a day.

I was very good at lighting a match.

The room carried a slight chill and was too quiet for comfort. Raven stood next to me as Ivan and Dante filtered in.

Behind them, Phoenix, Junior, and Serena.

Oh, shit.

I heard the footsteps.

Braced myself as King made his entrance.

The Cappo del Cappi.

The boss of bosses.

King Campisi.

He was young, like so young it was crazy—around the same age as Junior, mid-to-late twenties, and these guys were ruling the non-free world as the new bosses of the Five Families and doing a damn good job at it.

He’d been part of my training when I was in college.

He had a sense of humor that could shift into rage in any given moment. My jaw was proof of that.

"Ace.” King uttered my name like a curse. “It’s been a few months and already you’re back in the fold cutting off your skin, seducing the daughter of the guy who raised you after swearing to protect her and—my favorite—not to touch her and here we are in Dante’s creepy sacrificial room, all waiting for your blood to spill. I’d ask how it feels, but I’m pretty sure you’d say fine likethe honorable guy you are when we all know this is shitty. All of it.”

"You’re wrong.” I smirked at him. “Is every boss cursed with a mouth like that or just you?”

His lips twitched. “I miss our fights.”

“My body doesn’t.”

“Don’t be a stranger in the ring. You’re the only one who holds in his tears, it’s such a challenge trying to set them free.”

"How romantic.” I actually smiled.

I respected him. Liked him. Would die for him too.