Page 105 of Kings of Violence

Let the entire world know who she belongs to.

“Winters?” Victor Corvi sets his gaze on Sierra, ignoring Lucia. “Any relation to Kyran Winters?”

Sierra tenses, but she nods. “He’s my brother.”

Corvi nods, and I wish the mask weren’t keeping me from seeing his eyes properly. “Of course. Well, I spoke to him and Silvano Cresci earlier. I admit, I don’t do much business in New Bristol outside of my dealings with Giulio Pavone. It was nice to meet a more level-headed person.”

Sierra lets out a little laugh that isn’t amused at all. “Guess you mean Silvano and not Kyran.”

My arm on Sierra tightens. “I didn’t realize Cresci was invited.”

Angelo Guerra starts laughing. “Dude, these invites were so fucking hush-hush. Don Marino kept saying how he wanted it to be atruemasquerade, where nobody knew anybody else. Saturnalia in modern times, or whatever. Except I don’t know who he’s fooling.” He reaches out to fondle Lucia’s ass. “With how much skin the ladies are showing, it’s easy to recognize them.”

“You’re a pig,” Lucia says. She moves to take a step away from Guerra, but Corvi’s arm around her waist keeps her in place. “Have I told you that recently?”

Silvano Cresci is here. Somewhere in this crowd of masks, there are two people who want to take Sierra from me.

I pull Sierra even closer, making her squirm. “Nobody knows the guest list?” I ask Victor Corvi.

“I can take a guess. Carlo Pierino for sure,” he answers.

Angelo Guerra nods. “I saw his son Raul earlier. And nobody else could have arranged the entertainment.”

“Speaking of pigs,” Lucia mutters. “One of these days…”

“I thought Pavone would be here, but he said that it sounded boring and that he fed the invitation to his pet iguana.” Corvishakes his head. “I suspect his consigliere vetoed the idea. It’s a long drive for not a lot of benefit for them.”

“He doesn’t have an iguana, does he?” Angelo asks.

“Iguana, snake, whatever. One of those reptiles.” Corvi waves his hand dismissively. “Regardless. I know which local players are here. And I know why he invited Cresci and Pavone. I’m less sure I understand why he invitedyou, Voronkov.”

“Bad taste,” Sierra offers sweetly.

A trap, in which I walk into his lair.

But Silvano Cresci is here, too.

“You know, I’m not sure I understand it either,” I say, my voice brittle. “I thought he had business interests he wanted to discuss. But that’s hard to do in this setting, isn’t it?”

Lucia nods, and she must be staring at me from behind the mask. “Perhaps he wants to make new friends. He doesn’t have many friends in New Bristol. Not since… Oh, that must have been a hard time for you, Sierra. I apologize.” She doesn’t sound sorry at all.

“Yes. Thank you for your sincere condolences,” Sierra bites out. She moves restlessly against me, signaling just how badly she wants to get away from the three of them and this strange conversation that’s both enlightening and baffling.

“The Voronkovs took some losses then too, didn’t they?” Corvi regards me steadily. “That’s why you’re in charge now.”

Angelo barks out a laugh. “Oh, is he one of those? ‘The boss conveniently disappears and now I’m in charge’ types?”

I bristle at the accusation. “I had nothing to do with what happened to Petrov.”

“Your mind is so suspicious, Angelo.” Corvi turns to me. “This is intriguing nonetheless. Have you met with Don Marino yet? I’m happy to introduce you. Since you aren’t actually friends yet.”

I clench my teeth, but I can’t afford to turn down this invitation. I could spend ages trying to find Don Marino on my own. “I’d be very grateful,” I say. “You’ll have to tell me more about Benton City as well.”

Corvi glances at Angelo and Lucia, then nods. “Follow me.”

I keep my arm tight around Sierra as we follow.

“You’re hurting me,” Sierra hisses.

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