Page 3 of Brutal Don

No one thought a 21-year-old fresh out of college would last long in this world. Dante spent his formative years proving to everyone that he was fit to bear “Massimo” as his last name. Some even claimed he was more ruthless and bloodthirsty than his father.

Dante checked in with Lucas occasionally. He had been too preoccupied keeping the rest of the familia together to pay attention to his brother. Dante practically raised himself, so he figured the same would work for Lucas.

Lucas dropped his gaze when Dante didn’t answer his question immediately. Guilt rammed into Dante as his brother fixed his gaze on his phone instead. With his black hair and green eyes, Dante looked exactly like Leonardo, but Lucas inherited their mother’s gold hair and blue eyes.

Their mother died after giving birth to Lucas, so neither Dante nor Lucas knew her. His father always told Dante to keep his brother safe, because Lucas was the only reminder of the woman Leonardo once loved.

“I will try to enjoy myself tonight,” Dante lied smoothly.

Relationships were too much work for him. Dante never had a problem luring random women to his bed, but paying for one? That seemed like an excessive waste of money to him. Lucas beamed at him.

“That’s the spirit, brother. You’re always so busy with work. It’s not bad to enjoy yourself once in awhile,” Lucas said, pouring himself another glass of wine. Lucas offered him the bottle but he shook his head.

Dante couldn’t remember Lucas smuggling that bottle into the car but he now saw that Lucas had nabbed an old vintage, one that probably belonged in their father’s wine cellar. Dante would only allow himself some alcohol in the privacy of his own home or if he was with trusted company.

Having dulled senses would fail him in a dangerous situation. Letting one’s guard down in public had dire repercussions. Leonardo had been drunk at a friend’s party when shooters took aim at him. Leonardo had always paid attention to his health. He could have gotten away that afternoon, if he weren’t so intoxicated.

“Don’t drink too much,” he reminded his brother. Lucas waved him away. The car stopped. Lucas waited for Malik or the driver to open the door but Dante did it himself, mildly annoyed at his brother.

“That’s why we have paid help,” Lucas grumbled, joining him outside.

Lucas looked around and seemed to cheer up. They had driven to the heart of the city’s business district.

Dante glanced at the tall, glass building, then at the quality of the security in front of the building. The two well-built gentlemen who stood guard wore decent suits. Dante could see the outline of guns under their jackets. Ex-military, if Dante had to guess, judging by their disciplined body language and the way they conducted guests inside.

According to Lucas, the heir to the Babanin Bratva had paid a handsome amount to open a club on the top floor of the tallest skyscraper in Ringsor City.

“The Babanins certainly like flaunting their wealth and connections,” Malik commented.

Dante silently agreed. The fact they were holding their special annual auction here, in a new and important landmark of the city, told Dante the Bratva was a group he had to watch out for in the future.

Their group breezed past security without much fuss. A female attendant dressed in a skimpy and short leather halter dress led them to the elevators. Security everywhere, even on the first floor, Dante noted with interest.

They rode the lift to the top floor. Dante stared out the glass windows, trying his best not to show his discomfort. He hated elevators, despised the feeling of being trapped. Dante counted silently in his head, relieved when a chime sounded. They entered a large hallway.

The Babanins spared no cost with the decor or entertainment. Servers with trays of expensive food and wine mixed around. Their party’s arrival didn’t go unnoticed. Egor Babanin, the current Pakhan, greeted him first.

“I’ll leave you to do the talking, brother,” Lucas whispered in his ear, before darting away.

Dante nodded to one of their bodyguards to watch his brother. Each invitee was entitled to four guests.

After some polite conversation with a few of the guests there, Fyodore, Egor’s heir, announced the auction was about to begin.

It was good timing too, because Luigi Gambino kept trying to catch his gaze across the room. Dante would wring Luigi’s scrawny neck if the other Don tried to approach him and make small talk.

Luigi would deny stealing one of his shipments, of course, but deep down they both knew the Gambinos had drawn first blood. Luigi brought along with him two of his lieutenants and an unfamiliar balding man Malik informed him was his estranged nephew.

“Please take your seats, everyone. I assure you tonight’s selection will be …impressive,” Fyodore was saying.

“Brother, come with me. I reserved us the best seats in the house,” Lucas said after returning to his side.

Dante followed his brother and they took their seats. He checked his watch: 10:00 PM. Lucas assured him this auction would be over by midnight. Dante decided he would stick around for half an hour before excusing himself. He’d take Malik with him and leave Lucas here with one guard. Sighing, he glanced at the large stage erected at the front of the room. The black velvet curtains were drawn and the auction finally began.

Dante’s gaze remained glued on his phone emails for over fifteen minutes.

“We have a special acquisition tonight,” the announcer said.

Dante only looked up because he heard excited chatter from the Gambinos’table. Luigi’s nephew pointed to the stage repeatedly, reminding Dante of an overexcited puppy.

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