Page 7 of Bitter Queen (Advantage Play 4)

“Why so simple?”

“Because everyone expects a guy like me to have something complicated. I figured I’d just give them the bird and tell them to fuck off instead.”

I laugh as recognition dawns on me. The code signifies his knuckles. While the majority of numbers are low, the middle digit is high in the air. As if he’s literally giving them the bird. “Clever,” I compliment. “And thanks again, Matteo. Have you heard any unrest from the other families?”

“It’s a little early to tell. Lucca Russo is being a bit of a bitch about the transition, but he’s harmless. If you found someone in your ranks to marry his sister, Emilia, he’d probably shut right up. He just wants to keep his family’s status without having to lift a finger. I heard his father had been setting up a betrothal with one of Burlone’s soldiers, but it fell through when all hell broke loose less than forty-eight hours ago.”

I smirk. “That won’t be a problem. Stefan has wanted her for years. What about everyone else?”

He shrugs and leans back in his office chair. “Nothing too out of the ordinary. Now they’re just fighting with each other like a pack of wolves over a scrap of meat. Who’ll be crowned the next king of the underworld when their fearless leaders were all whisked away in handcuffs?”

“Dex,” I answer him.

Brow quirked, he repeats, “Dex?”

“He was being groomed for the position, anyway. Why not give them what they want?”

“And if they don’t back Dex?”

“Then they go in the ground. We’re going to extract anyone who wants to continue selling fruit to the highest bidder.”

Fruit.

What a twisted way to talk about human beings. Like they’re nothing but an object.

Matteo kicks his feet up onto the desk then laces his fingers behind his head as if he has all the time in the world. But it doesn’t hide his flash of surprise as he clarifies, “You plan on eradicating the entire human trafficking industry?”

“In this part of the country, yeah. We’ve seen what it does to women. Our women,” I clarify. “Regina. Ace.”

“And Q?” he challenges.

I hesitate. “Yeah. And Q.”

“Interesting,” he notes.

That same tic in my jaw returns with a vengeance as I grit out, “Kingston promised to protect her.”

“So, it has nothing to do with the way you look at her?” He scoffs. “Keep telling yourself that. But what makes you think the Romano family can pull it off? You’ve never been in the skin trade.”

“King’s dad didn’t want to make things messy for the family by sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. But Burlone crossed that line and left us no choice as soon as he tried to frame us by doing business on our docks.”

He scratches his jaw before resting his elbows on his knees. “I remember hearing about that. Obviously, thinking he could use Kingston was Burlone’s biggest mistake. But I think you’re smart to take control while everyone is left scrambling.”

“Me too. Kingston might be young, but he knows his shit.”

“Yeah, he seems to be fitting in as Boss quite nicely.” An amused Matteo studies me closely before muttering, “I’m just glad I’m on your side.”

I lift my chin in agreement. “Thanks again for letting us stay.”

“No problem. I’m heading out in a few.”

“Sounds good.”

Twisting the door handle, I head back down the hall toward our bedrooms. Q’s door is still wide open, but she hasn’t moved a muscle from where we left her ten minutes ago.

A sigh escapes me before I lean against the doorjamb and mutter, “Hey.”

She doesn’t acknowledge me.