Page 55 of Fratelli: Eternal Bloodlines

The three waited in tense silence inside their renovated meeting space at the top of the Palazzo. A servant offered herself to Sebastiano, who drank from her wrist until she went weak in the knees. All the while, he watched Lucio. After dismissing her, he licked his lips clean. “Not hungry, brother?”

Lucio looked up briefly before averting his gaze.

Domencio’s phone pinged. He reached into his pocket and stared at the screen with growing concern.

“What is it?” Lucio asked.

“Phoenix is here. He sent a message to the Fratelli,” said Domencio.

“And?” Sebastiano prompted.

“Check your phones,” Domencio said, all the while he glared at Lucio.

Lucio sighed and pulled out his phone. Just as he did, Tristan’s urgent message came through telepathically: GUARDIAN. SHE IS A GUARDIAN, BOSS!

Lucio frowned. He glanced at his brothers before reading Phoenix’s message. Phoenix was on his way to the Bellagio to pick up Raven and secure the hotel before they would go out and collect the Guardian from Shakespeare’s club. They had two Guardians—Darkness and Light had come to Vegas for the sisters.

“Did you know this?” Sebastiano demanded.

“No. She arrived during the chaos. I hadn’t—” Lucio stammered.

“Unbelievable!” Domencio exploded, throwing his phone on the desk. “First, we have the weapon sent by Julia Brown to kill us all, and now we have Guardians!”

“Calm down,” Sebastiano urged. “Guardians are delicious.”

“How the fuck would you know? NO! If you and Marcello had listened to me, we could have dealt with Lucio long ago,” said Domencio.

Lucio narrowed his eyes. “You could’ve tried. Don’t forget, brother, you’ve made several attempts and always failed. In fact, we should just call you ‘He Who Loses’ from now on. The name suits you better.”

Domencio snarled and bared his fangs.

“Stop the bullshit,” Sebastiano said. “Domencio, calm yourself. You were in the room with the bitch, and you didn’t know what the fuck she was.”

“Damn it!” Sebastiano snarled. He slammed his fist on the table. “It’s time, Lucio. We go to Father. It’s done. No more of this cat-and-mouse shit. You have lost control.”

Lucio couldn’t object. All plans were done. There would be no compromise, no exploring a solution to Julia Brown’s existence. He sent a telepathic message to Tristan: RENO.

Tristan receivedLucio’s message loud and clear. He looked up to see his brother in the order, Phoenix, walk through the casino. Raven leaned against a wall, straightened up and followed Phoenix, who turned left walked toward the high rollers room. Tristan trailed behind. They navigated through the players unnoticed, entering a back room reserved for VIPs.

Phoenix paced the room. “Have you met her?”

“We were both in the same room with her just an hour ago,” said Raven.

“And?” Phoenix stopped.

“We didn’t know,” Raven admitted.

“I knew,” said Tristan.

Phoenix narrowed his eyes on the consiglieri.

“The fuck you did. Liar,” Raven spat.

“My capu, Lamont, was seized by her. She made him bring her and Dolly’s brother to the suite. We both smelled her. Who the fuck else would she be? Phoenix has been teaching us about the ancient ones. Warning us about Guardians since we were made.”

“They’re our mates?” Raven asked.

“We wish,” Phoenix said. “More like our assassins. I had to put things in place. I’ve located the second one. She’s at the Pink Pussy.”

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