Page 50 of Sin & Secrets

I take a step back, recognizing the menace in his eyes instantly. “This was a mistake.”

“Have you spoken to Chiavari? Considering how close their families were and how insolent that daughter of his is, you would do well to be rid of him. He was always such a bore, whining on and on about my spending.”

“You disgraced the family name with your frivolity.”

“I will do withmyfamily name however I see fit, boy.”

I chuckle darkly. “That name holds no power for you anymore. You agreed as such upon your retirement.”

“My hands were tied,” he bites back.

“May I remind you that if you do not cooperate, I could so very easily take the title the old way. That you live here, tending to your crops, at my discretion.”

My father appraises me disapprovingly. “You will not, or else you would have done so already these last five years.”

“You are right in that regard. But I could so easily inform my contacts at the NYPD of your garden here and leave you in their more than capable hands.”

“And betray one of your own? You will be blacklisted.”

“Which is why I am grateful for your cooperation on this matter,” I snap back.

For a moment, there’s a tense beat between us. So far, everything about this conversation is so reminiscent of our previous negotiations, I may as well have taken a time machine back five years and spared myself the trouble.

Then Giuliano sighs. “All this for a son you are yet to possess,” Giuliano looks at me with vague interest. “Although I do hear that you’ve purchased a mistress.”

I try not to reveal the anger that stirs within me at the mention of Cas.

But Giuliano seems to notice my reaction anyway and chuckles to himself. “I suppose a grandchild is a grandchild, even if it is a bastard.”

“You would feel an affinity to bastards, wouldn’t you? Considering you are one.” It’s too easy for me to kick at an old wound. “But unlike you, my children will not have to kill each other in order to take their due inheritance.”

A darkness clouds over Giuliano’s expression, and I force myself to remain steadfast. “My half-brother was unworthy of the Mafioso. When the time comes, the precedent you set won't matter. Your children will kill for that power, too.”

“I will not allow it,” I declare.

“It won’t matter.” Giuliano’s cruel expression only deepens as he approaches. “You presume to control something you cannot.”

“I will raise my sons with honor.”

Giuliano laughs. “As I raisedmyson to scorn such idealistic weakness. And look how that turned out.”

I can’t help but flinch at his words.

Scorchedwould be a better word to describe what he had done to me. The evidence of which had long been concealed by the tattoos that now spread across my skin.

Giuliano Moretti is a monster, intent on nothing more than taking out his displeasure on all those who disappoint him. My mere existence is the greatest disappointment of all.

Perhaps I should wear his disapproval as a badge of honor.

“I am done here.” I turn away from my father and head back toward the door.

But Giuliano stops me in my tracks. “You dismissed Esther Romario from your inner circle. How long will it be until you revoke the other promises you made me?”

“Esther was tired. Old. There was no other motivation for the dismissal.”

“She didn’t suggest you reinstate me then?”

I turn back to level him with a glare. “I ask you not to interfere with my governance of the Guild. I will not ask again.”

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