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Story: Sinful Ruin

Damien scratches his cheek. “Sorry to break it to you, brother, but you might be out half a million dollars. You know how stubborn Genesis is.”

I shake my head. “Unless she wants to be a fucking Russian bride, she’ll do whatever I say.”

I foundout about Carlisle’s deal with Yaroslav only two hours before Dima went to Carlisle’s office to collect his bride. I immediately called Yaroslav, negotiated a new deal, and transferred the money into his bank account.

I smirk, loving that I stole Genesis from Dima.

While Yaroslav cares about his son’s happiness, he loves money more. He also has the upper hand. If I don’t pay the balance, he’s half a million dollars richer, and Dima gets Genesis.

It’s a win-win for him.

Though not for Dima, but he has to follow the chain of command.

Until Yaroslav dies or steps down, Dima must follow his orders. Money is a huge factor in keeping families thriving, and that’s all Yaroslav cares about.

Dima will probably take his anger out on a poor soul tonight.

The need for violence when we’re angry in our world is common.

It’s also dangerous, and it has taken us to war multiple times.

Lately, it seems like war is all I know.

We went to war with the Marchetti family after Antonio kidnapped Cristian Marchetti’s daughter. The Marchetti Mafia family is one of the most notorious and deadliest Italian Mafias in New York City. Antonio didn’t only kidnap her, but he also forced her to marry him while we were in the middle of a war with Antonio’s Uncle Sonny. Sonny wanted to take over, become boss of the Lombardi family, and Antonio had to kill him for it.

When that was over, we had to bail Damien out of a marriage contract with the Irish. And by bail, I mean murder the Irish boss and make it look like his underboss committed the murder.

Men start wars for several reasons—politics, religions, greed,women.

Women being in that category shows how powerful they are.

My phone rings, and I answer Warren’s call.

“Did you draw it up?” I ask my attorney.

While I have the contract Genesis’s parents signed and mine with Yaroslav, I don’t have one with Genesis yet. No business is done without contracts, period.

“Yes,” Warren answers.

“I’m on my way to your office now.” I end the call.

Fifteen minutes later, I take the elevator to the fifth floor of his building and walk straight into his office. I pay a steep retainer to have round-the-clock access to Warren. The man loves money, which I have plenty of, and also fears me, which he should.

He clicks off CNBC when I enter his office and hands over the contract. “With any other client, I’d say this contract would be a hard sell, but what does this woman have to lose?”

“Everything,” I state. “She has everything to lose.” I read over the contract and then toss a banded ten grand on his desk. “Buy your wife something nice.”

His lips form a smile. “She always says you’re her favorite client of mine.”

When I walk out of Warren’s law firm, I spot an unmarked Tahoe and stroll toward it.

Derrick rolls down his window to hand me Genesis’s phone. I instructed him to collect it from her car while the Feds raided Carlisle’s home.

“If she wants anything, I can get her into her place later,” he tells me. “I’ll text you the details.”

I salute him with one hand and shove the phone into my pocket with the other. He drives off, and I take it upon myself to look through Genesis’s phone when I’m back in the Escalade.

Her password is her birthday—so fucking obvious.