Page 4 of Welcome to the Sins of Blackstone
“I’m there for the next shipment, not long until you join me,” I tell him.
Number one rule, always have your family's back, and as far as my brother and sister go, I won’t let anyone hurt them.
“I still have to suffer a few years; Camilla will be there before me.” Luca is five years my junior, and Camilla is younger by two years. Camilla is already set to get married once she’s finished college; the Cavalli family. They live the same lifestyle as us, my father has known them for a very long time, and the friendship is strong. Her soon-to-be husband’s family has already agreed for him to move to Blackstone Hollow to take care over a part of the business while still working within his own family.
I climb into the black SUV waiting outside for us. Mom and Dad will follow, Camilla rolls her eyes as she slides in, crossingher arms. "If I have to hear one more time about how I’msolucky to be getting married off to some guy I barely know, I swear to God?—”
"You think you have it bad?" my brother, Luca, scoffs. "At least you don’t have to sit in college classes, knowing you’re just biding your time before you get thrown into the business."
Camilla gives him a sharp expression. "Don’t act like you don’t want this life, Luca. You’re just mad you’re still in the kiddie pool."
He flips her off, and I chuckle, shaking my head.
Typical.
The car pulls away from the estate, the driver weaving through the winding roads of Blackstone Hollow. I watch through the window as the city shifts, glittering clubs giving way to dim back streets where deals are struck. Every corner runs under our rules.
Sunday morning. I hate Sundays.
Not because of the hangover from last night, or because the party lasted a lot longer than I thought it would have. The reason I don’t like Sunday mornings is because I have to put on a suit and act like I’m some goddamn saint. I hate it because for one hour every week, I have to sit in a church pew and pretend that I don’t have blood on my hands.
"Fix your tie," my mother says beside me as we stand in front of St. Augustine’s.
I glance at my reflection in the window. The black suit fits perfectly, crisp and sharp. I don’t look like the devil they whisper about. More like a good, respectable son.
Exactly how my mother wants me to appear.
I adjust my tie, just to keep her happy. This was one of Mom’s only requests when she married my father. We go to church every Sunday.
"Behave," my mother warns us before disappearing inside. Not sure why she thinks we wouldn’t; we have never misbehaved in church and never will. I could never do it to my mother.
The moment they’re gone, Luca turns to me. "So, about that strip club?—"
"Still no. But keep asking, maybe I’ll change my mind someday."
Luca grumbles under his breath, and Camilla just sighs, rubbing her temples. "I don’t even know why I put up with you two."
"Because you love us," I reply smoothly.
Before she can fire back, my phone buzzes. I glance down, my stomach tightening when I see the message.
Unknown Number:
You’re not the only one watching her.
My grip tightens around the phone. I already know whosheis.
My Angel. Well, she will be soon.
I scan the church area, my eyes darting to the shadows. I don’t see anyone, but that doesn’t mean someone isn’t there. My blood hums with adrenaline, my fingers flexing at my sides. Another rule my mother put in place, no guns in church. Never.
"Everything good?" Camilla asks, frowning.
"Yeah," I mutter, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
The church bells ring out, echoing across Blackstone Hollow as the Mass begins. Inside, people murmur greetings, the scent of incense thick in the air. My father walks ahead, shaking hands with men he owns, judges, businessmen, even a police captain. My mother is with a group of women, all of them dressed in their Sunday best, pretending they don’t know their husbands do deals with men like my father.
Camilla and Luca are already in the front pew, and I move to join them. But then stop.
