Page 19 of The Don's Hidden Heir

His gaze is malicious, but he doesn’t dare say another word.

I pat him on the cheek. “I know you ratted to the cops. Do you hope to become the next Capo if you sell me out to your little friends?”

“I didn’t sell you out. I’m running for a position in government and as you know, I need to play my part as a good citizen.”

“Too bad.” I gulp down my wine in one drink. “Dead men don’t run for government. Try that one more time, and it will be the last thing you do.”

I feel his glare burn my back as I disappear into the crowd.

I weave my way across the room, and as if on cue, I come face to face with the man I dread the most.

Kirill Vadim.

Although he hides behind politics and business, I see him for who he is. A treacherous old man with a lust for blood. He’s the head of the bratva, and I have reason to believe his rivalry with my father played a part in why my parents were murdered in such a gruesome way.

Men like Kirill and I have never gotten along easily. His crimes run from drug trafficking to human trafficking. Why do dirty business? Who needs the blood of innocent women and children in their hands?

While he parades himself as the symbol of charity, his money reeks of innocent blood. Like metal to magnet, my uncle can’t resist being in his circle. He must’ve promised him the Cosa Nostra throne in exchange for his loyalty.

But I know Kirill too well. He won’t hesitate to kill my uncle and take over our business the second my brothers and I are out of the way. Only a fool would trust him, and that word best describes my uncle.

It’s funny how much greed can destroy a man’s sense of reasoning.

“If it isn’t Death himself,” he says, wearing the usual friendly mask he shows to the rest of the world.

God, I want to punch him in the face.

Unlike my uncle, I don’t have the patience to stop myself and I get straight to the point. “Return my shipment, and leave my uncle out of your schemes.”

He smiles first, then bursts into a laugh. “Are you worried I’ll hurt your woman?” He laughs again. “I don’t play dirty.”

I scoff. “That’s rich coming from a bag of dirt like you, Kirill.” I draw closer to him. “Fuck with her, and you’ll have me to answer to.”

He’s quiet for a moment, his expression sour like curdled milk. I can see he isn’t taking my insult very lightly. “You realize I can kill you right where you stand, don’t you?”

I smirk. “I dare you.”

My bodyguards are stationed around this building. One word from me and this little gala he has going will end with bloodshed and Kirill’s mutilated corpse. He knows that will be the result and won’t risk it.

“Fine.” Kirill tries to hide it, but I see the panic in his eyes. “Don’t mess with me, and I won’t mess with you.”

“You’re misunderstanding something, Kirill. It’s not up for negotiation. It’s a warning.” I lean in close enough for him to absorb every word I say. “Fuck around with Elena, and I’ll be sure to make your last days on earth a misery.”

Chapter Six

Elena

“Dominic Romano was at the party last night?”

Moira’s eyes are almost bulging out of their sockets from how stunned she is, and I don’t think she realizes it, but her jaw is hanging open.

“He was,” I answer, grabbing a piece of pizza from the box sitting on the kitchen island. Lucas is on a school trip, and Moira decided to have a sleep over at my place. We were both too lazy to cook so we ordered in.

Nothing better than pizza and chicken wings on a Friday night while gossiping with your best friend.

My mind had been so frazzled after I met Dominic last night I’d ended up drinking enough wine to get me tipsy. Don’t ask me what I was thinking because in truth, I don’t think I was.

I’d been nervous, panicked and anxious.

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