Page 6 of Villainous Kingpin

The Irish and Italians had been at war for as long as I remembered. The same was true for the Irish and Russians. In fact, things were even worse between the Bratva and the Brennans. The hate ran exceptionally deep there. The word among the Bratva was that the Russians blame the Brennans for a long lost Russian mafia princess. And recently, they believed they’d found her among the Irish. Whoever she was, the Russians wanted her back at all cost.

The DiLustros’ relationship with the Brennans wasn’t much better. It was about twenty-one years ago or so that things escalated. When Liam Brennan lost his sister. He was left without any family. The word on the street was that members of the Brennan family in Ireland refused to recognize his adopted son and already eyed Liam’s position. The Russians kept attacking him. He couldn’t afford to fight us, the Russians, and his own members. So I had a suggestion for him, one that would strengthen my position.

Mine, my sister’s, and my cousins’ positions. Definitely not my father’s.

My father was a sadistic bastard and some days I’d considered putting a bullet in his head. End all this shit and rule New York the right way. He left too much unnecessary blood and death in his wake. He had no issues torturing innocent women and children. He fucking loved inflicting pain. It made him hard; I saw it firsthand.

He insisted cruelty and blood were a necessity in our positions. I disagreed. Yes, a firm hand was needed but misplaced cruelty and killings weren’t. Unfortunately, my father was one of the men who started the Syndicate. People followed him despite his barbaric methods.

But I’d been strengthening my position in the Syndicate, my wealth already exceeding my father’s. My cousins, Priest and Dante, my sister, and I succeeded in growing our empire without a constant bloodbath and fighting amongst each other. If there was a way to operate within this city without a constant battle, I’d take it. Achieving some kind of peace with the Irish in my city was a step in the right direction.

“I have a proposition for you, Brennan,” I started, shoving my hands into my pockets. “I believe it will make you happy and hopefully end this bloodshed between us. Keep the Irish to the west side and Italians to the east side of New York.

An hour later the deal was made. I knew Liam Brennan had more common sense than my own father.

As I made my way out of Brennan’s home, my eyes roamed the large courtyard covered in darkness.

The golden princess was nowhere in sight.

CHAPTER3

Wynter

THREE MONTHS LATER

We sat in my Jeep in the parking lot of Whole Foods on the Upper West Side in New York. The top was down, the May breeze blowing, and it was a welcomed reprieve. I was fuming on the inside, like flames licking at my skin. Ironic really given our current situation.

We just meant to go get Davina’s stuff while Garrett, her now ex-boyfriend, was still at work. Unfortunately, Juliette went all rogue and Ivy clumsily dropped a match on his alcohol soaked rug.

I could scream at them, but it wouldn’t do me any good. I was just as guilty as they were.

I pressed my head against the steering wheel, regret and hindsight plaguing me. It was so damn stupid. I should have known better. Now Davina’s ex-boyfriend’s entire goddamn house had burned down. We were lucky the entire neighborhood didn’t go up in flames.

Soot marred my cheek and my clothes, but I was too tired to keep rubbing it off. It seemed like I cleaned one spot and another would appear. Like a damn disease. I just needed a shower.

“Oh my God. Oh my God.” Davina’s panicked voice pierced through and her breathing was labored. “We’re going to jail.”

God, if Garrett’s threat was serious, and I was attached to a crime, my chances at the Olympics would go down the toilet. I’d disappoint my mother. This was her dream as much as my own. Sometimes it felt like my mother’s love only came when I skated. Naturally, I always wanted to appease her so I ensured I skated the best.

And this… This would ruin it all. My mother would be disappointed.

Garrett’s text message to Davina played in my mind over and over again, like a broken record.

*Stupid bitches. I know it was the four of you. The cameras were on. Five hundred thousand dollars. Twenty-four hours. Bring me the money by 10 p.m. tomorrow. Or I’m going to the police.*

If my name was connected to something like that, I’d be banned from competing. All of it would go down the toilet.

“I’m sorry,” Ivy cried. “It was an accident. Maybe we can explain.”

She was the clumsiest one out of the four of us. I gently banged my head on the steering wheel, wishing pointlessly that I could turn back time.

“Explain what?” Juliette muttered, her eyes wide with shock. I guess her temporary insanity wore off. “We had matches and alcohol. We had intent.”

Suddenly my cousin knew the law. It was a tad bit too late. She should have thought about that before she handed the goddamn matches to anyone.

“Youhad intent.” Davina was furious. Rightly so. “I just wanted my stuff and then to get the hell out of there!”

“Davina’s right,” Juliette muttered, looking slightly defeated.