Page 78 of All the Dangerous Things

“I think the Head of Italy is trying to drive a wedge between me and you two.” I looked between the brothers. “I think he’s trying to implode both of our bases, so he can make a move with this new syndicate.”

Shit, I thought, as it really sank in and started making even more sense.Fuck. I grabbed my drink and tossed it back, the burn down my throat welcomed.

Nikolai and Dmitry studied me for a long moment, their expressions unreadable as they no doubt let what I said brew among the three of us. The tension surrounding us was still there, but everything had shifted to this new threat instead of each other.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Carmine was behind everything—The Stygian Syndicate, me being the one to carry out Maksim’s death, and probably a whole host of other shitty betrayals.

It was all too connected to be a coincidence.

And the more I thought about it, how Carminehad to be in the thick of it, the more I realized he was probably involved in Tatiana’s attack.

My blood boiled, and I curled my hands into tight fists until my nails tore into my palms and broke the skin.

I looked up at the men and said, "Tatiana's assault.” It was the only thing I could speak aloud rationally and coherently. And judging by the tightness in their eyes and on their faces, they knew exactly what I meant by those two words.

“We need concrete proof that Carmine’s involved with The Stygian Syndicate. If he planned all this shit or is behind any piece of this bullshit, we need to know,” I told them when I could finally rein in my fury enough to get it out.

“If he had any hand in what happened to Tati, I’ll flay his skin from his bones.”

I had no doubts Nikolai would.

Dmitry nodded in agreement, and I was sure the eldest Petrov would have a few unique ideas in helping his crazy-ass brother out.

Carmine didn’t make mistakes, but I knew with arrogance and power, everyone slipped eventually. When people thought they were untouchable, that's when they started fucking up. If he was involved, I’d find the trail.

Nikolai leaned in and had a sadistic smile curving his lips. “And if we find proof? What then?” He started rubbing his hands together. “How about you just send him our way?”

I held his gaze. “We’ll cross that bridge if we get there.”

Dmitry’s eyes narrowed. “If Carmine is involved, this is going to destroy the Cosa Nostra from the inside out.”

“It’ll drag every-fucking-thing down. The Ruin will be turned upside down, and it'll cause an all-out war.” I rubbed the back of my head.

“It’s already a fucking war.”

I nodded at Dmitry. I wouldn’t let Carmine destroy everything I cared about.

There was a heavy fucking silence as the weight of it all settled on our shoulders. But I meant every word. “I’ll kill Carmine myself if I find out he was involved in Tatiana’s attack.” And I’d revel in it.

“We’re in this together,” Dmitry inserted, and I felt my eyebrows reach up to my fucking hairline. Never thought I’d hear those words directed at me, coming out of a Bratva member.

“Let's be smart about this shit,” Nikolai said, surprisingly being the one thinking rationally right now. “Everything could go to hell.”

Everything is already going to hell, just like Dmitry said.

“If Carmine betrayed the Cosa Nostra, his own people, he’ll be dealt with. If he betrayedme, I’ll castrate him and feed him his balls in a soup Tatiana makes.” The silence was long and heavy, and then Nikolai burst out laughing and slammed his hand on the table.

“Fucking hell, man. You’re crazier than me.”

“When it concerns Tatiana and my baby, I’ll burn the fucking world down, and it still wouldn’t satiate my need for blood and vengeance,” I told him, and I watched the brothers exchange a look, one that seemed eerily similar to one of approval.

A cold determination weighed down on all three of us then, and Dmitry ended our meeting with, “We’ll do what needs to be done when the time comes.”

Yeah, we fucking would.

32

CARMINE

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