Page 24 of The Fractured

“Tempting as that is,” Roxy said. “I like the idea of being the boss for a change. You can surely understand that.”

Gabriele hummed in agreement, eyeing Roxy as she continued.

“Anyway, how do you know none of his ex-fighters who joined you aren’t already spying on you?”

“We already told them what would happen if they did,” Lucia smirked. “We took a finger for their loyalty, and promised to take much more if they betrayed us.”

“Maybe I should do something similar,” Roxy said, looking to us for a moment before she smiled sweetly. Mostly at Gabriele. “So? What do you think of my fighters? Can they fight here?”

Before he could respond, Lucia leaned forward and muttered into Gabriele’s ear with her eyes on me, speaking only Italian. “Make an offer on that one.”

I pretended I didn’t understand and kept my face blank.

Making offers wasn’t part of the plan. We were meant to fight against their men, not for them. And I sure as shit wasn’t about to do whatever else Lucia had planned. It didn’t help that Lucia’s suggestion piqued Beatrice’s interest too.

From the stories I heard of these three, I knew anything could change in a second. They were unpredictable — they had gutted a personal driver once simply because he didn’t show Lucia the attention she wanted. They were callous, murderous psychopaths who dealt in drug trafficking and weapons as they fought desperately to get back into the Mafia crowd.

And each of them was looking at me like I was a prize.

Chapter 8

Dean

“He looks like he packs a punch.” Gabriele’s accent was thick. “Are you willing to sell him to me instead?”

Roxy gave him a sultry smirk. “Oh, Romeo is one of my best. Which is why he isn’t for sale.”

Lucia huffed her disappointment.

“Romeo. That is an Italian name.” Gabriele stood, his expression calculating as he slowly moved closer. He was several inches shorter than me, but maintained his authority in every movement. Every step. He knew he had the money and reputation to do as he pleased. The oily smirk on his face proved that.

But I also had a reputation. Mostly an issue with people who believed they had more authority over me without proving they earned it.

“My sister seems to have taken a liking to you,” Gabriele said. “Do you speak the language?”

“No.”

He scoffed and glanced over his shoulder at his sisters, and then spoke Italian. “He doesn’t speak Italian, but this has never stopped you before.”

Lucia giggled while Beatrice’s lips curved into a sadistic grin.

“Just to be clear,” Roxy cut in as she positioned herself between me and Gabriele with more sway in her walk. “My fighters are only here for fighting. I figured it was a better place to start fresh. Especially since your father failed us when it came to protecting us from the law... I want to teach Antonio a lesson just as much as you do.”

Gabriele smirked at her — mostly at her chest. “I like how you think,mia cara…”

Roxy’s smile widened. “So, do we have a deal? Can I enter my men in your fights?”

Antonio’s only son glanced back at his sisters. They seemed to communicate with that weird triplet connection. Or maybe it’s a sibling thing I never understood.

Gabriele turned back to us and lifted his arms out wide, like a proud ringmaster about to start a show.

His smile was cunning. “Welcome to Castello di Vetro.”

Seb knew about the investigation and swore to keep his mouth shut after I filled him in on what was going on.

I never doubted he would blab, but with the way the night had gone, I was a little agitated.

Until I stepped through the entrance of Lily’s apartment block.