Page 151 of Vicious Addictions

But then I remembered the strings that came attached to Victor’s offer.

If I had stayed behind and married Mina, The Firm would have never accepted her as Victor’s successor—not when they could have had her husband step into the role.

And what a crime that would have been, considering she excels in it far beyond anything I could have ever aspired to.

Even if I didn’t have the weight of my own birthright to carry, I would never dream of stealing hers.

I have my doubts that her current fiancé is as selfless.

While Victor may have named Mina as his heir, I believe he’s underestimated Felix’s ambition. There’s no way the underboss will sit quietly on the sidelines, taking orders from his wife for long.

No.

Even at Mina’s induction, I saw how Felix didn’t flinch in the face of those waiting for her to fail. He’ll turn those same doubters into allies, using them to seize power the moment he gets the chance.

And by then, neither Victor, Remus, nor Rolo will be able to stop him—unless they drive a dagger into his chest.

I just hope Mina realizes that Felix’s ambition far outweighs his honor or loyalty before it’s too late.

“Hey, are you okay?” Stella’s worried voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“I’m fine, Stella. Just thinking.”

“I can tell by the smoke coming out of your ears,” she teases before sitting beside me on the stairs, bumping her shoulder against mine. “Want to talk about it?”

I glance at my little sister and smile. “You really don’t want to be bothered with my shit, little firecracker. Trust me.”

“Hey, lay it on me. You never know. Sometimes, talking things out can bring clarity.”

“You sound like Marcello.” I offer a weak smile.

“Good. He was always my favorite brother anyway.” She winks.

“Ouch!” I laugh, the sound foreign to my ears.

“See? I’m making you feel better already.” She grins widely. “Now, tell me what’s on your mind, big brother. Let me lift the weight of your baggage for a little bit.”

“Trust me, my baggage is better off neatly packed and stored away where no one can see.”

“Fine, don’t tell me.” She huffs, clearly disappointed with my refusal to confide in her. Then, with a smirk, she adds, “But I’d bet you my lucky dagger that whatever is on your mind has to do with Mina Crane.”

My eyes widen at her perceptiveness.

Fuck.

Was Marcello right? Am I that easy to read?

“I knew it!” she whistles, pleased with herself that she got it right on the first try. “You’ve been off ever since she got here.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Oh, yes, you have. You’ve been sulking like a moody teenager. It’s not a good look on you, big bro.”

“Geez, thanks,” I grumble.

“Just calling it like I see it. Now spill.”

“There’s nothing to spill. And even if there was, I wouldn’t be talking to my seventeen-year-old sister about it.”

---