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The unspoken implication hangs heavy. Someone else—stepping into my woman’s life. Protecting her. Advising her. Falling for her.

“Bottom line, Quinn,” Nico twists the knife. “You’re in the Outfit now, whether you like it or not. So you can either do it as a Capo for the woman you love . . . or stay a foot soldier and watch her get swept away by another man.”

The words ring in my head like a death knell. I clench my fists, my blood boiling as my world starts to close in around me.

God, I wish I could kill this guy.

Dante’s hand falls heavily on my shoulder, presumably before I can take another lunge at Nico. “Mull it over.” He glances at his Rolex. “Exactly one week from today, we’ll expect you to report at the Fortress in Chicago. At five a.m.”

I force myself to breathe, to think. But nothing makes sense anymore. Somehow, they’ve got me pinned. They’ve got Luna pinned.

The Vitelli brothers may have banned trafficking—the only reason they didn’t end up on my list—but they’re the most ruthlessly calculating bastards to ever walk the earth.

There’s only one compass in this sudden spiral. It’s leather with gold bars and bears the only things that have anchored me when everything else spun out of control.

My kill list. My revenge.

And Luna? She’s strong, I know that. Stronger than anyone gives her credit for. But to let her get dragged into this blood-soaked life with no one she loves by her side? Unthinkable.

I can’t fucking do this.

I push to my feet and head to the door, suddenly weary. “Start digging that grave, Vitelli.”

Nico’s brows arch in surprise and his voice becomes unusually soft. “You’re telling me you can’t or won’t do it?”

“I can’t,” I say, not turning.

“Not even for Luna?” Dante presses.

Thequestion twists something deep inside me, but I force the words out anyway. “Not even for Luna. Now, if that’s everything, there’s somewhere I need to be.”

“Moscow?” Nico asks, and I spin on my heel, my teeth grinding as rage surges through me.

Phoenix. Damn him.

“Phoenix told you,” I bite out.

“No. Luna talked to Sophie.”

For a moment, it feels like the ground is crumbling beneath my feet.Luna would never talk about that to anyone . . . would she?

“Did Luciana also say what I’m going to do there?” I ask, keeping my voice even.

“No.” Nico leans back, studying me with those sharp, calculating eyes. “But since you’ve just lost your job and chose to die rather than sail into the dark with your woman, I have a feeling you’re not going there for the scenery . . .”

I meet his gaze, letting him see nothing but ice. If my death warrant’s already signed, might as well make it count. “I happen to like the cold.”

Nico smirks like he knows something I don’t. “Just make it clean.”

I manage to hide my surprise in a scoff. “You think I’m doing it for you?”

“No, Quinn. But I’m giving you seven days to get your shit together. During this time, whatever you do is insured by me. I’m generous like that. Now, if you’re not sitting across from me at the fortress by the end of the week, I’ll hunt you like a dog.”

I don’t respond. There’s nothing left to say.

I step out into the crisp dawn air. The first light of morning breaks across the horizon, casting the world in a strange, surreal glow.

TheVitelli brothers think they’re offering me a choice between life and death.