Page 47 of Hearts Of Darkness

“We’ve been friends for a long time, Rick,” I murmur. “It would be a shame for that to end tonight.”

“Jesus, Dante. Calm the fuck down! If I spoke out of turn, I apologize.”

Damn right you did. You should know better.

In the end, I accept his apology. Rick’s no enemy of mine, and I ask after his young family to show him that there’s no bad blood between us. All the while, Joseph is standing a few feet behind me, eyes on the play—watching my back as usual.

There’s only one topic up for discussion tonight—the plans to expand our distribution along the whole of the east coast. New York is our last US bastion to conquer, and we’ve been making inroads with the Italians, with an eye for a potential partnership and a complete takedown of the city.

I keep my mouth shut for the most part, preferring to let others steer the conversation. I’m indifferent to these sorts of business matters, and Rick’s words have distracted me. I left a hundred men to watch over Eve, but in reality, there are onlytwo good enough for the job. My soldier’s instinct is on high alert. There’s trouble afoot, but from which direction? I glance across the table at Emilio who is picking over the terms of the deal with Rick.He wouldn’t dare…

Would he?

I drain my glass and request another. My obsession with Eve is turning me into a paranoid asshole like my brother.

When the conversation breaks for dinner, I rise to my feet. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, gentlemen. Joseph, a word.”

He follows me over to the water’s edge. “What’s up?”

“Take my plane. I need you back at the compound.”

“Are you fucking serious?” His face is expressionless, but I know he’s not happy about it.

“Go now before I change my mind.”

“I thought you said she was an irritation. Nothing more.”

“I don’t know what the fuck she is, Joseph, but I have a bad feeling that no amount of bourbon is going to make good. The word is out. I’m vulnerable. Rick’s just given me a warning shot… If Emilio thinks my head is out of the game, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep me there.”

Joseph’s eyes narrow to warning slits. “And is it?”

“Is it what?” I’m distracted again. I’m thinking about Eve. I’m remembering the delicate flush in her cheeks, and the naked lust in her eyes when I tore her dress from her body that day by the beach.

“Out of the game. I wouldn’t mind some notice if you’re planning on recusing yourself.”

I glance back at the table.Am I planning on recusing myself?“It’s not that simple. No woman dictates my decisions, no matter how good she fucks.”

“You sure about that?” His piercing gaze starts slamming into mine.

“Christ, Joseph. I can’t quit this life any more than you can. There’s no going back for us.”

He nods, finally accepting this. Over a decade ago he lost his wife and young child in a car accident. I called him soon after with a proposition. Since then, our work has fulfilled a vengeful need in both of us. It brings purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it we’d both be screaming into the abyss and drinking ourselves to death.

“This won’t end well, Dante,” he warns. “It’s full transparency or nothing with Emilio. You can’t reason with him.”

“I’ll deal with him in due course. Until then, watch your back.”

“And hers too apparently,” he counters dryly.

I shoot him a look.

“Fine. I’ll call Tomas.” He pulls out his cell.

“Good. Do it.” I turn on my heel and head back to the table so that he can’t see the look of relief on my face.

My return is heralded from all sides.

“Just in time,” Emilio declares, smiling evilly as ten half-naked women erupt onto his terrace. “This evening’s entertainment has arrived.”

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