Page 66 of Twilight Mask

“The time for caution is over. We need strength.” Adam glares at me before turning his passion over toward Dusan. “You know as well as I do how to handle a bully. You punch first, and you punch hard. You make yourself bigger, in order to make them think twice about targeting you. The Biancos are simply playground bullies with more capital and more weapons, and we need to punch them in the nose.”

Dusan grunts in response and I can tell he’s starting to come around. The whole situation seems like it’s spiraling out of my control, if I ever had control to begin with. Nominally, in theory at least, I should be the leader of this group, but now it’s Adam pushing for aggression while I’m trying to make them slow down and think twice.

It’s maddening. I don’t even recognize myself anymore.

And yet I try again. “The Biancos aren’t some average gang. They’re a sophisticated network. The moment we start shooting is the moment they turn around and crush us. We have to be smart.”

“Smart was for before. Now we must be strong.” Adam stares at me with an expression that suggests he no longer thinks I’m fit to run these meetings.

The rest of the evening is spent arguing. Julien seems interested in a fight, while Dusan refuses to commit to anything. Ronan, as always, makes jokes and sideways comments, and seems to be willing to back whatever I suggest, including caution this time around.

After we finish arguing with each other, the group leaves in stages. I find myself walking out with Adam after the others have all gone, and the big Polish man doesn’t say anything until we’re out on the sidewalk.

“I’m not going to wait for your approval,” he says, staring at me. His face is determined, and his lips are set in a hard frown. “I don’t know what changed, but a month ago you would’ve been salivating at the idea of taking the fight to the Biancos. Now, you’re practically begging us to back down.”

“I think you’re being rash. That’s all.” I glare at him, meeting his gaze and holding it. I refuse to back down, even if he’s partially right. I don’t like the way he’s characterizing my behavior, but I definitely am trying to get them all to see sense and take things slow.

If he knew about my relationship with Laura, he’d understand why.

“I’ll say it again. I’m going on the offensive. I’m already planning an attack, and Julien and Dusan will both help when the time comes. I suspect Ronan will too, even though he’s your friend, because he’s smarter than he lets on and he knows I’m right.” Adam steps closer, glaring into my eyes. “I don’t know what changed for you, Marco, but I will not hesitate to leave you behind.”

“This alliance was my idea,” I say, snarling in his face. The argument is weak but it’s the best I have.

“And it was a good idea. Now follow through.” Adam stares me down before brushing past and walking over to a waiting car. He gets in and the driver takes off, leaving me behind to stew.

That did not go fucking well. Not well at all. Except it did, and Adam’s right—a month ago, this meeting seemed basically impossible, and I would’ve killed to have it. Now though, all I want to do is slow them down, because I don’t know where I’m going to end up once the guns are drawn.

Laura’s not involved in the fighting, but it’s still her family we plan on killing. I know which side she’ll choose, and I can’t even blame her for it.

Which is why I don’t want to force her hand.

Because I need her. Fuck, I need her, and I don’t want to lose her. When I’m with Laura, for the first time in my life, it’s like I’m at peace. I don’t have to think about Luciano, or about revenge, or about my parents. I can simply be with her, and that’s enough.

It’s a rare and special feeling, and I don’t think I’ll ever find it again.

Not with anyone else.

But the situation is beginning to slip out of my control, and I don’t know how to stop it.

Chapter 31

Laura

Another summons from the Don. When the text appeared on my phone from Simon’s personal line basically commanding me to his office, I thought about ignoring it. I mean, in all the years I’ve been living here, I’ve barely been in the main office because I’m only tangentially involved with the Famiglia. My siblings all take it very seriously, but to me, it’s barely a consideration.

Now it’s like Simon thinks he has some kind of power over me. Which honestly kind of pisses me off.

That anger simmers in my guts as I stomp through the house, bang on his door, and storm into the office. It smells like burning firewood and old furniture polish. Not the worst, all things considered.

Simon doesn’t look up from the file he’s reading on his computer screen. His lips are pressed together, and he holds up a hand for me to wait, like he’s not even remotely surprised that I just barged into his private sanctum without announcing myself first.

“Almost done,” he says, knitting his brows in concentration. “Do you know how many whiny emails I get from my Capos? And how many of them are fucking incriminating? These are supposed to be clever, hardened criminals, and yet I swear they’re a bunch of hormonal teenagers with ego problems half the time.”

I walk over to his bookshelf, pick out a volume at random, and carry it over to the fireplace. The logs burn with a merry crackle. I glance at the cover—it’s in Latin and looks very old—before tossing it on the flames.

Simon makes a choking sound. I walk over to the bookshelf and grab another. This one’s got gold lettering over green leather, something about economics. I walk it over to the fireplace.

“Point made,” Simon says quickly. He shoves his keyboard away and stands up. “Please, stop burning my books.”

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