Page 40 of Massimo

"You're neither friend nor enemy, but it's late, and you've come to my home uninvited."

Ivan snorts. His sneer is still on his face, and his chest puffs. "The way I see it, Santoro, we're best fucking friends, yeah? Sean and I are the reason your brother and his bitch—"

Gabe fists Ivan's throat and growls, "Careful how you speak about any Santoro, including Eden." He shoves him away.

Ivan straightens his leather jacket, cutting Gabe a glare, but he's clearly wary now. He glances behind him at the guards standing ready for orders, likely second-guessing his plan.

"Ivan," Sean warns quietly with afrown.

He ignores Sean and turns back to me. His eyes are cunning and plotting. "I want a seat on the Chamber."

Sean looks between him and me. "Wewant a seat on the Chamber."

"Sean." I sigh, my only openly expressive emotion right now. "If two additional seats are created, the Irish aren't the next strongest faction in line."

His mouth presses shut, and I turn my attention to Ivan. "The Chamber is still discussing it. You'll know when a decision has been made."

Ivan steps forward, but Gabe blocks him from getting closer. Ivan isn't a small man, but compared to Gabe and me, he's a pissant.

"You see, Santoro," he glares at me, "you owe me."

"You made your vote already, Ivan. It's done," I warn, reminding him that his chance to control what happened to Vito and Eden has passed.

He shakes his head. "Make the Chamber rule in my favor, or you'll regret it, Massimo."

Sean curses, shaking his head. "What the fuck, Ivan?"

I remove my hands from my pants, snapping my wrists and making them crack in a similar move that Vito does. I stalk down the steps, my hard, cold eyes on Ivan. It has the effect I'm looking for.

I am exactly what they say I am.

Reminding this cocksucker that I am Massimo Santoro, a fucking monster in my own right.

"If you threaten me or my family again, I will slaughter you." I don't need to put the roaring anger I feel into the statement; it rolls off my massive frame in waves.

His throat bobs as he swallows, not daring to take his eyes off me as I stand toe-to-toe with him. I know Gabe is almost having a coronary because I'm standing so close to Ivan and Sean without him acting as my buffer. But he knows better than to interfere or do anything to make me look weak in front of this motherfucker that has moved from a nothing to a threat.

"Look." Ivan wets his lips. "Massimo, we're getting off on the wrong foot."

"I don't give a shit. Get the fuck off my property. Once the Chamber has made our decision, you'll be informed."

Giving the ultimate insult to a criminal leader who has just declared he's a potential threat, I give him my back and walk away, unconcerned.

Gabe and the guards will ensure they're removed from the property. I climb up the stairs, and once I'm inside, Jerome closes the door.

"Go back to bed, Jerome." I grip his shoulder. "Thank you, though, for being ready to have my back."

He nods curtly, then his look softens. "Shall I check on Miss Nova before I retire for the evening, sir?"

"I'm headed there now." For some inexplicable reason, I need to see her and ensure she's safe.

I dial Vito as I climb the stairs. My brother answers on the third ring.

"Mass? Everything okay?"

His voice sounds husky, but I don't imagine he was in bed already—well, for sleep. I push away the thought of having just interrupted my brother and Eden fucking.

"Ivan Everhart and Sean Finley were just here." I quickly relay what happened. "Watch your back."

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