Page 172 of Villainous Kingpin

“Watch it, son,” his father countered. “Show respect.”

“How are you feeling, Star?” Mom asked. “I got inquiries for interviews from a few of your sponsors.”

I shook my head. “I told you, Mom. No more competing for me.” I glanced at Bas and he nodded. “Basilio bought me a wedding present. An ice rink. I want to clean it up, rename it, and maybe coach.” I clenched my fingers and Bas’ fingers interlocked with mine, his thumb brushing softly against my palm. I found the move to be soothing. “If you want, we could coach together. Not sure if you’re staying in New York or-”

Mom and Franco shared a glance and the smile that man gave her told me he loved her. I didn’t know their full story but I was happy for my mom. She finally got her happiness. It was only fair.

“Well, I’m thinking about moving to Chicago,” she beamed.

I grinned. “Chicago is good,” I agreed. “Closer than California.”

And she won’t be alone.

“You’ll come to visit?” she asked.

Bas and I shared a glance, and he nodded. “We’ll visit often. You have to visit us too.”

Priest huffed a frustrated breath. “Why don’t we tell Wyn and Bas the information you told me?”

Priest was agitated. It was evident in his tense shoulders and the way he shook his head in disgust. I still haven’t come to terms with Priest being my brother. I had no idea how to behave, especially since Mom hadn’t said a word about it. Neither did Priest.

Mom’s heavy sigh shifted the air between the five of us and I couldn’t help tensing again.

“Remember what I told you about a baby I lost?” I nodded, swallowing hard. “Well, Priest… Christian, he’s your half-brother.”

“Huh?”

“He’s-”

I waved my hand. “Yes, I knew that. Basilio told me after Priest ran a DNA test.” Confusion marred Mom’s face and I turned to Priest. “Your real name is Christian?”

He just shrugged. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t,” I promised. This felt slightly awkward. I felt like this wasn’t the bomb about to be dropped.

I turned to my mom who was watching Priest with a longing in her eyes. I didn’t understand her history.

“Mom,” I whispered, and her eyes came back to me. “Why did you tell me you lost the baby?”

Mom blinked, then blinked again. “I didn’t tell you everything, Star.” I stilled, waiting for her to tell me whatever else she had to get off her chest. “My grandmother, your great-grandmother went mad when she lost her daughter. Her husband, the Pakhan, declared war on the Brennan’s and swore to kidnap every descendant of the Volkov family from them.”

“What?” I breathed confused. “Why?’

“My mother, your grandmother, was an only child,” she explained. “They were robbed of their heirs. So when I had Christian, I risked his life. Not to mention that Grandpa and my brother would have gone crazy. Franco was married and I-” Yeah, it wasn’t the ideal scenario but why leave her baby behind.

“Franco and I decided it was best to hide Christian. It was the safest option. Then I returned to New York and eventually married your father. When Gio…” Her eyes flitted towards my husband and this time, I squeezed his hand in comfort. “When Gio attacked and killed your father, a perfect opportunity presented itself. Liam had me proclaimed dead, changed my identity, and the Pakhan stopped hunting. But nine months ago, Gio alerted them to you, Wynter. They don’t know about Christian, but they’re coming for you.”

Bas growled next to me. “Let them fucking try.”

CHAPTER70

Wynter

Gio’s funeral was lavish.

There were a lot of attendees but not many grieving faces. And I had a feeling the ones that were grieving were fake.

The weather was beautiful and somehow it fit the occasion. Was it wrong? Fuck no. Gio DiLustro was a sadistic bastard and this world was a better place for it. I stood next to Bas, his sister on the other side of him. Dante, Priest, and Franco were here too. My mother wasn’t. Even in his death, she feared him.