Page 58 of Revenge & Ruin

“You know too much, Mia. You’ve worked for your father, and you’ve overseen dealings at the Candelabra.If I don’t give you a position in the Guild, people are going to think you’re a liability.”

“Doyouthink I’m a liability, Teo?”

“I—”

“Teo Vitale!”

We both turn around in alarm as the newcomer approaches. Whatever argument I was about to make disappears on my tongue, and whatever animosity was building between Mia and me vanishes in the blink of an eye.

There is no doubt in my mind that we are a united force as we face down Leon Natali.

He’s alone. His shirt and trousers are rumpled from whatever flight he’s just gotten off. Behind him, a construction worker gives chase, clutching the mandatory protection gear. And behindhimcomes Martino, gesturing wildly at his phone.

As I feel my empty pockets, I remember that I left my phone downstairs in a cubby. Whatever warnings Martino might have sent me will reach me too late.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Mia croons at my side, back straightening as she takes in the man before us.

His hair is a darker blonde than Isabella’s, but it’s almost frightening how similar their eyes are. Deep chocolate and glowering with rage, made all the more intimidating with his broad shoulders and excessive height.

“You BASTARD!” he roars at me. “You think you’re going to get away with this?”

I tilt my head. “You’re going to have to be a little bit more specific.”

Beneath the sarcasm of my words lies a quite terrifying truth. There are several things I’ve done these last few weeks that couldwarrant the don of an enemy Mafia cornering me on my own turf.

Most of them involve his sister.

Leon makes a large, sweeping gesture. “A casino?”

Ah. Right. Well, at least that one is slightly less complicated to explain.

“What of it?” I reply dryly.

“The Prince’s Hand has an iron grip on gambling, and we’re not in the business of sharing the limelight.”

I regard him for a moment. “In Manhattan, maybe. But you’re on the wrong side of the river now, Natali.”

Leon steps forward. “Casinos are our territory, Vitale. You can mess around with your handbags and little clubs all you like, but you do this, and you’re crossing a line.”

“Oh, this is your line, is it? You don’t lift a finger when your sister is taken hostage, but I open one measly casino, and suddenly, you’re threatening a call to arms?”

“She can handle herself,” he bites back.

“Unlike you, it seems.” I step forward, too, just as Martino appears at his back. “You want a fight? You’re outnumbered.”

Leon scoffs. “You think I couldn’t take the two of you?”

“Three,” Mia chimes in sweetly.

Leon regards her with something akin to disgust. “Stay in your lane, little lady.”

I bite back a smile, as does Martino. Both of us know that Leon may as well have signed his own death warrant.

“Teo?” Mia says my name like it’s a question.

“By all means.”

There’s a surge of movement at my side, and suddenly, Mia has launched herself onto Leon, wrapping herself around his back and using her legs to choke him out. In less than ten seconds, the brute is on his knees.

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