Page 36 of His Stolen Princess

Cato

They slumber peacefully, both of them like dark angels sent to watch over me.

Santino creeps down the hall behind me, and I close the door.

“All fixed up?” He glances at the bandages on my torso.

“It’s nothing.”

“Good.” He nods. “I sent a team to do cleanup. All of Antony’s soldiers have been dealt with. I took a few for questioning. Got some intel.”

“The soldiers aren’t the problem. Not the real one, anyway.” I walk with him down the stairs and to my office. “Who backed him?”

Santino cracks his always-bruised knuckles. “Giuseppe. He bankrolled the whole thing. And he’s the one who turned Nico.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “He’s been a thorn in my side for years, and I’ve let him live. But this?” I shake my head. “This is the end of his line.”

Santino whistles. “The other bosses--”

“Don’t matter to me.” I meet his gaze. “He put my lioness in danger and sicced Antony on me to settle a score Giuseppe should’ve settled himself. He’s still angry I took his poppy fields and ended his human trafficking operations.”

“Let’s kill him.” Santino is always happy to spill blood for me.

“It’s time.”

“Time?” He cocks his head to the side.

“Time for you to take your place.”

“What?”

“You end Gisueppe Carantino, you take his territory.” I don’t want to let Santino go, but he’s been loyal and patient for so long, and it’s past time for me to reward him for all he’s done.

He shakes his head. “You need me here.”

“I do, but you have everything it takes. Our families will be allies. Stronger together. This is your chance. The bosses will fall in line, or I will come for them, too.”

He stares at me, half dumbfounded, half giddy. “Me, a boss?”

“I should’ve given it to you when Giuseppe fucked up the first time.” I lean against my desk, my side aching, though I don’t show it. “Take him out and enjoy the spoils. I’ve heard he has a young wife.”

“Just married her two weeks ago.” He grins. “But I heard he can’t get it up to seal the deal.”

I wave him away. “Kill him, save her, write your own story.”

He walks to me and drops to a knee. “I will always be loyal. That will never change.”

“Stand, my friend.” I pull him to his feet. “You kneel for no one. We are equals, loyal to each other.” I offer my forearm.

He takes it and pulls me into a fierce hug. “My brother.”

“Always.” I clap him on the back. “Now quit dawdling and put Giuseppe’s head on a pike. Take as many soldiers as you need.”

“No problem.” He grins and heads for the door. “I’ll be back to visit soon. Flavia would miss me if I stayed away too long.”

“You mean you’d miss her tiramisu.”

“That, too.” He strides out to do untold violence, and I finally take a breath. Letting him go is difficult, but it’s also the right thing to do. My gaze lifts to the ceiling, my thoughts drawn back to my lioness and our cub. They are my future now, my family, my heart’s blood. No threat will ever touch them again. And if anyone tries? I’ll end them the same way I destroyed every last Lantino. I will grant no mercy and send my enemies to the gates of hell.

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