Page 1 of Depraved

“SCUSAMI.”EXCUSE ME.

The tailor interrupts me and my brothers, holding up another fitted tuxedo shirt for me to try on. I’ve been here for an hour being fitted for my goddamn wedding tuxedo. The things I do for this woman.

I shrug off the previous shirt I’d tried but couldn’t button.

“You’re so swole,” Luca teases like the asshole he is.

“Who the fuck says that?” Dom chimes in as he adjusts his bow tie.

“Shut it, dick.” I laugh, rolling my eyes at Luca. “He’s just jealous because I can kick his ass… Need a reminder?”

Luca grumbles, undoing his collar. “Fucking monkey suits. I’ve never enjoyed them.”

I nod my agreement as our tailor, Sal, helps me into my shirt. I push my arm through the sleeve, but Sal stops, staring at me with concern. I pull my brows together, confused by his abrupt halt.

“Sal. Why are we stopping?”

“I apologize, signore. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

His old eyes drop down to where the nasty scar from my first and only gunshot wound mars my arm.

“It’s fine, old man. Your eyes are tired. That’s an old wound.” I frown, the memory flitting through my mind.

He laughs and continues to help me on with my shirt, and my brothers look at me solemnly, knowing that I didn’t just lose some skin and blood that day.

“If you don’t mind me asking…” Sal coaxes, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“It’s a gunshot wound.”

The surprise on his face is evident by his wide eyes. “I hope they paid for that, Mr. Sovrano. Who would be stupid enough to shoot you?”

My face grows serious at the thought.

“My late wife.”

LIFE IS CRAZY, WICKED, ANDbeautiful—but only if you fight hard enough to endure it. Today I watched my brother marry the love of his life. Two years ago, I didn’t even know Luca existed, Dominic either, but now I can’t remember a time without them.

I stood next to Luca as a co-best man with Dominic and watched him look at the woman who loves him fiercely and promise to always protect her.

But Luca’s not the only one who protects her now. Today, we all came together to make his same vow.

Gretchen’s married in.

The mafia is our family. Our lifeline. Our legacy.

Me, Dominic, Luca—we’re brothers by blood, created by our father. But Antonio, Nico, Vincenzo, and Matteo—they’re brothers because of the blood we’ve spilled together.

All six of us stood at Luca’s side knowing that what’s precious to him has now become just as important to us.

That’s our way.

More importantly, that’s my way, as head of this family.

I tip my chin up, blowing a thick cloud of smoke from my lips where we’re now seated outside around a table adorned with fancy flowers and candles, smoking our cigars and laughing about the night.

The sky is black, empty of even the stars, but the bulbs that hang outside over our heads reflect tiny halos of light that strike against the darkness. The halos seem misplaced—we’re far from sainthood, but I guess even the devil was an angel once.

I look around the patio and through the glass wall that separates us from the party inside. Luca had this bar decked out to the nines, not that much work was needed, seeing as Charlie’s on First has the kind of sexy ambience that lends to jazz music and good scotch.