Page 8 of Titan

I wanted to throw something at his head, but I remained where I was, watching the men. Edric had a habit of rubbing everyone up the wrong way. I was used to dealing with his shit.

“Are you quite done being a cunt?”

“Maybe.”

“Good. We have work to do, and I don’t need you messing shit up for me.”

I turned my head to look at him. Edric had sat in my place behind my father’s desk with his legs up on the table. I almost told him to knock it off, but it wasn’t worth it.

“You know you can count on me.”

He was probably the only one outside of my immediate family I could rely on. I didn’t want to ask Zayn for help. He’d put his faith in me. I had to deliver. This was only the beginning. Getting the men on board was one thing. Telling our family about this would have to be handled more delicately. Zayn might be optimistic about Dino and Gian’s reactions, but I wasn’t. In fact, I was pretty sure they would be unimpressed with his decision to put me in charge of the mafia.

He’d sent me a text earlier to let me know we were expected at Dino’s tomorrow night for dinner. I had to prepare for that, on top of the fact I’d killed one of mycapodecinasand now had to appoint someone else. Fuck knows who Sal would suggest. All I knew was I couldn’t trust a single one of them.

The only thing I had going for me right now was the fact Edric would stand by me. But even he didn’t understand the pressure of being a Villetti. What it meant to be a part of this family. And even though I’d made him my second, it didn’t mean he would ever comprehend the responsibility Zayn had given me to protect our family and keep us on top.

I don’t know if I can live up to your expectations of me, Zayn… just like I never lived up to Papá’s ones for me. If I fail at this… I don’t know what I’ll do.

I wasn’t good at anything else. The only thing I’d ever been capable of doing well was killing. And really… I wasn’t proud of that achievement.

Not one bit. Not at all.

Four

Gilberto

Zayn pressed down on the doorbell as we stood outside Dino’s house. I glanced down at Ari, who was tucked into his side. I hadn’t realised he was bringing her, but it shouldn’t surprise me. He’d included Arianna in most aspects of his life since our father’s death. And he’d told me in no uncertain terms I was to “make an effort” with her. It wasn’t like I was going to ignore his girlfriend or anything, but he knew I wasn’t good at making friends. It was a miracle I even had one in Edric. Then again, he was pretty insistent, forcing his way into my life and making a place for himself in it.

“How are you, Gil?” Ari asked, turning her head to look up at me.

“I’m fine.”

I caught Zayn giving me side eyes.

“How about you?” I added.

“I’m okay.”

“Just ‘okay’?” Zayn asked, looking down at her with a frown.

“Your family is kind of intense.”

He chuckled and rubbed her side. No doubt he’d warned her about them at our mother’s funeral. The wake had been a lively affair. I’d found an excuse to hide in the corner with Enzo, who’d sulked the whole time. Being forced to make small talk was my idea of hell. I used my younger brother needing me as an excuse to avoid it. Enzo had done nothing but complain about everything under the sun. I was safer listening to him than dealing with my extended family.

The front door opened, revealing a tall woman in her late forties with a blonde bob, brown eyes, and pale skin. Her lips were bright red as usual, and she was dressed impeccably.

“Evening, Pippa,” Zayn said.

She didn’t smile at him. I’d never known Dino’s wife to smile at anyone. Her disdainful attitude towards everything and everyone made me wary.

“Hello, Zayn, Gil.” Her eyes went to the third one in our party. “And Arianna. It’s nice to see you again.”

She didn’t sound thrilled about it, but I wasn’t going to comment on it.

Pippa stood back to allow us in, giving us air kisses as we walked into the house. We went straight through into the dining room, finding Dino, his two children, Vincenzo and Vedetta, and Gian. They all had dark hair, dark eyes, and tanned skin, like most of the Villetti clan. I almost ground my teeth at the sight of Vincenzo. He pissed me off every time I saw him with his smug attitude. Not to mention he definitely fancied himself a ladies’ man. I thought he was a dick who shouldn’t get within ten feet of a woman. Zayn felt the same way. He told me he’d rejected our cousin’s application to become a member at Desecration.

Why the fuck is he even here? He doesn’t live with his parents. And why didn’t Zayn warn me?

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