Page 14 of Brightness

The man screams wealth.

Actually, more like dirty money, which I’m assuming he has in spades.

Tony’s eyes drift to the other side of the car, where a younger man steps out, dressed much the same in an impeccable dark-blue suit. His dusty blond hair sweeps over his head in a styled wave. He too has a well-maintained beard, though his is a darker blond and is in total contrast to Tony. Both are broad in the chest, strong in stature, and ooze confidence as they turn and head toward us, flanked by their men.

Ten guards surround them. So much for coming with a couple of capos. Instead, the asshole’s here with a small arsenal.

I glance at Nycto, who appears to stiffen his posture. He’s angry—furious. As he should be. This gratuitous show of force from Tony is totally uncalled for.

“Tony, this is not what we agreed,” Nycto yells as they approach.

“Your little welcoming party doesn’t instill confidence in me either. We both came into this without trust, didn’t we, Nycto?”

“I guess so.” Nycto sneers. “This, however, is my territory… my clubhouse.”

I roll my shoulders. Hearing footsteps behind me, I peek over my shoulder and see Eva chasing Ivy out the clubhouse door. Eva tries to pull her back inside, but Ivy is having none of it, and they both rush up the ramp toward us.

Fucking insolent damn woman!

Swinging back to Tony, I try not to bring attention to the girls, but it’s too late. Tony’s eyes shift straight past me and directly to them. His lip turns up crookedly. “Shall we get down to business, then?”

Nycto narrows his eyes. “Thing is, Tony, I don’t know what the hell kind of business you’re bringing to my club. I’m not even sure I want to do business with you.”

Tony signals his men. They begin to fan out, moving in front of us. I tense, not liking how this is going. Nycto grabs for his gun. I reach for mine at the same time, causing a chain reaction from all our brothers. We lift our weapons high, pointing directly at the mafiosos. They halt their approach but don’t react. Their lack of reaction is unnerving, but still, we have the upper hand.

This is our turf. They don’t know Ominous and Brass are hiding outside the gates, sniper rifles aimed directly at these fuckers.

One false move, and it’s hunting season.

“What the hell do you want, Tony?” Nycto grunts, turning his gun to the side menacingly at the don.

Tony’s eyes drift past us toward the two women at the back, who are currently holding each other for comfort. “I want something of yours.”

“You couldn’t ask nicely first, asshole?” I scoff.

The blond capo steps forward and into my space, as if to test my patience. “Call him an asshole again and you’ll see the full force of what the DeLucas can do.”

“You think you can come into this clubhouse and throw your weight around?” Ivy yells, rushing to my side. “This is our place. These are our men, and you’re nothing but a damn gángster!” Ivy curls her lip and spits on the ground.

Matteo surges forward. “Gangster? You think I’m nothing but a gangster, you little who—”

“Matteo, enough!” Tony snaps, placing his hand on his second in command, pulling him back.

“No, I want to hear what he was going to call her,” I jab at the arrogant prick. “You’ll only get the chance to say it once,” I sneer.

Blondie huffs, straightening out his ridiculously expensive suit. “I apologize. I let my anger get the better of me,” he mutters unconvincingly through his teeth.

Ivy shouldn’t even be out here, let alone trying to start a fight with a capo. But I can’t say I’m surprised.

This woman’s a damn firecracker.

“You think you can come in here demanding shit after that display of arrogance?” I scoff out a laugh while Ivy wraps her arms around my waist.

Tony’s eyes linger on Ivy a little longer than I like before he turns to Nycto. “We want to make a deal, Presidente.”

Nycto cracks his neck to the side and clicks the safety off on his gun. “Titanium Tony. Tell me, why should I make a deal with you?”

Tony exhales, his muscles relaxing as he softens his posture. “I have a proposition for you. Purely business. You have something that was en route to me, and I want it back. I want her.”

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