Page 59 of Sinful

“Home? Here?” I snorted at that. “Why? What would be the purpose of any of that?”

“Because he is blood, and blood is meant to be home.”

“Then why let him go in the first place? Why create another kid who isn’t a legitimate heir to the Underground then ask to have them mentored and brought here?”

“It was part of the deal I made.”

“While I enjoy games, Father, I assure you your guessing games aren’t one of them. Give me the information I need so that I can see to the task.”

“It is simply someone who came to me, desperate for his wife to have a child. I wanted another son. We had an agreement that we would give his wife a child and that I would come to collect someday. My terms were clear. I fuck his wife and put a baby inside her. He keeps the child safe.”

“And has he failed? Did you not vet properly, Father?”

He glared at me. “Watch yourself, boy.”

“I’m sorry, Father, but you’re asking me to mentor some lost brother of mine. All so he can come live in this hell? So he can be as crazy as we are? Help me see the logic in this.”

“Blood belongs at home,” he said, a muscle popping along his jaw. “You will do as you’re told, or you will pay with the blood of those you’ve grown attached to.”

“Did you force her? The mother?” I needed to know this. It was gnawing at me.

He inhaled deeply, his gaze fixed on me.

“She wanted it despite her screams. Her husband watched from the darkness of the alley as I took what I wanted. He was paid for his sacrifice.”

I said nothing, disgusted by the man in front of me.

“It is another task, for another time. I was only making you aware of it.”

“Of course, Father. Give me the information I need and a time in which I need to do it.”

“Perfect.” He offered me a wicked smile which did nothing but encourage me to want to kill him faster. It was sad, though, that he’d sunk his claws into another family’s lives. He had a way of tearing apart anything that might be able to thrive.

“Fine. Send word when you’re ready. I am at your service.”

“Excellent. Now. We need to discuss the next point of business.”

“And that is?” I raised my eyebrows at him, tiring of his company.

“The horsemen. You’ve heard of them?”

I nodded. Of course, I’d heard of them. They were up and coming. They were headed by Lorenzo De Luca, son of Anthony De Luca. They were taking over the city, piece by piece. Block by block. Rivals to the Kings and the De Santis syndicate. Rivals to the Ivanovs. It was quickly becoming a battleground.

And here we were. The Underground. Smack dab in the fucking center.

“Which side are you on, father?”

He smiled at me, knowing exactly what I meant, and sat back in his seat. “Mine, of course. Let them feud. In their violence, we shall rise. Let them kill one another off. Let us plant the seeds. We take over and claim this city as ours.”

I scrubbed my hand down my face. “And what of Sirena?”

“What of her? If you want her, you’ll do what you’re told. I will let you keep her. I’ll let you keep all of them. Malachi, Asher. Sinclair. Anything you want will be yours. Just do my bidding and do it well.”

“For how long?” I whispered.

“Forever, of course.” He surveyed me for a moment when I didn’t answer. “I want their sugar recipe. With Macy’s passing, I have no in. So I need one. They have a girl.” He handed me a photograph of a gorgeous redhead with vibrant green eyes and then several more photos of who I assumed were the horsemen.

“Lorenzo De Luca is training to be head of the syndicate. His father, Anthony, has gone into hiding, leaving his only child to handle business. He’s ruthless, but young. He will no doubt make a few mistakes.”

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