Page 24 of King of Temptation

But I am not alone. Three sets of eyes turn to me, and I know the conversation isn’t over. I’d much rather discuss the Italians.

“So wait…” Luke starts. “You’re doing her a favor?”

My shoulders relax a little. “She has a class she can’t pay for, and she needs money.”

“And you know that how?” Jake asks, all fun and games gone. Jake is a hard man when he needs to be. And I know the truth. He’s been at the club more because the family is worried I’ll fuck up again. They’re right.

“Chandra, the blonde from last week, is her roommate.”

“Why didn’t she just ask Mason to pay for it? I know he considers her his responsibility. Kim is Charlotte’s only family.”

The idea of Mason taking care of her, further irritates me.

“I don’t think she likes taking favors,” I rumble back, because I would just pay for the class if she’d let me.

Roman shakes his head. “Do not piss off Mason.”

“Mason shouldn’t piss me off,” I retort, but I get the point. Kim is dangerous territory, and as usual, this is probably going to bite me in the ass. My dad’s DNA runs strong in me, if it wasn’t obvious.

No one answers that. Instead, Luke gets back on topic. “You want to help Kim, fine. But keep your dick out of it.”

What I do with my dick is my business. And Kim’s. If I’m lucky.

“Tell me what you came to say…” I turn to Jake.

“The Italians have rebuffed every attempt at communication, even with the amount of money they owe us,” he grits out. “It can only mean one thing.”

“War is coming.” I scrub a hand over my face. I got this ball rolling and I know how I’m going to finish it.

“Soon,” Roman agrees. “They’re clearly getting ready to make a move.”

My window of opportunity is closing. Hopefully I get a little more time before my life goes to hell.

“My guess is that you’ll be their primary target, since you’re the one who got Vendetti arrested, and you’re the one who gave the police the information that led to the arrest.”

Yeah. I really knew how to stir up a beehive.

“Mason is calling in their bank notes, which means taking their casino.”

It’s the right play, but Jake is also correct. I’m likely a target. My eyes drift to the door Kim just exited. I can’t afford to be distracted, but I just wanted a bit of softness before I make my move. Because the one I’m planning, means I’ll most likely end up in jail.

I wrap up auditions and leave Temptation, making my way down the strip and into Toni’s largest casino, the Diamond.

I get there early enough to take a corner booth that is reasonably shadowed, my baseball cap pulled down low.

The waitress grimaces when I order a sparkling water, but I give her a small wink and a twenty. “Keep the change.”

She smiles at me, hustling off to get my water when the large double doors on the far side of the casino floor open, several men in gaudy suits appear and I only need to give them the barest glance to know it’s the Carcetti family.

I pull my hat lower as I watch the group of them cross the floor. Big Toni is in the lead, his nephew little Anthony at his elbow. Little Anthony has the slicked back hair and greasy smile that makes him look like the piece of shit he is. His usual toothpick hangs out of his mouth. Little Anthony is his uncle’s dirty man, doing all the jobs no man with a conscience wants to touch.

He killed a man right out in the open two years ago, shooting a member of the Russian Bratva in our club. He’s got no shame and no fear. It makes him dangerous and unpredictable.

They stop for a minute, heads bent together in conversation. Toni and his crew are earlier than I expected, which makes me shift with a bit of irritation. I should have known the Italians wouldn’t keep regular schedules. They don’t do anything with discipline.

Not that I’m one to talk.

But it means my plan might need some revamping. I can’t plan an ambush if I don’t know when he’s coming and going.

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