Chapter 2

Dante's POV

“Goddamnit.” I leaned back on my leather chair, my eyes scanning over the pile of reports sprawled across the table.

This was the part of the job I didn't like. Paperwork. It infuriated me. I loved getting into the action, but paperwork was a necessity. I remember it like yesterday when my dad was forcing me to learn the family's business. Even with his brutal ways of ‘teaching,’ I was able to learn a lot.

“Serpent Gang.” I swore under my breath, flipping through one of the reports. They have been a thorn in my side for a very long time. I would have killed all of them if I had the chance long ago, but they were great at covering up their tracks.

The door creaked open, and Isabella, my personal assistant, walked in.

“Good morning, sir.” She bowed slightly, holding a tablet and a stack of papers in her hand.

“Good morning. What do you have for me?” I asked, staring up at her.

Her green eyes glazed over the papers as she set them down. “Here are the reports you asked for.”

I sighed and began going through the reports. It was just reports on the state of the family and requests from the gangs serving me.

“Anything interesting?” I asked.

Isabella nodded. “We lost three men from one of the small gangs in some sort of incident with the Serpent Gang.” She reported.

“Those bastards always find a way to get on my last nerve.”

“Not only that. A stray bullet hit an innocent bystander.”

My gaze perked up. “A civilian?”

“Yes.” She confirmed. I clenched my jaw. “The cops are getting worked up about it. The chief is pressing hard on them, especially since the media got wind of it.”

“Fuck.” I cursed. I should have taken care of them when I had the chance. I was iffy about it because of the consequences the Syndicate put upon me, but now I regret not doing it. Damn, I hated the spotlight.

“Is this going to be a problem?” I asked.

“Our men are working on covering our tracks, but in the long run, it's going to cost us.” Isabella replied.

I nodded taking in Isabella's verdict. Of all my people, she was the only one I trusted sincerely.

My phone buzzed on the desk. I reached for it, my brows furrowing at the caller ID. It was a regulator. They were extensions of the syndicate set to keep track of all the gangs underneath. Or better put, to keep your ass in line.

I took a sharp exhale and answered. “Dante Moretti.”

A monotone voice came through the line. “Moretti, the Syndicate requests your presence at The Club. Immediately.”

Before I could reply, the line went dead. I growled, my mood officially going down the drain.

“Call Ghost and Luca, we are going to The Club.” I instructed.

Bella nodded, quickly exiting the room. I grabbed my jacket and proceeded to the reception.

Ghost and Luca were already waiting for me, armed and ready to move out. Ghost or Matteo by actual name was my right-hand man, responsible for taking care of anything intelligence-gathering in the family, while Luca was a hulk like man with an intimidating expression, the family’s enforcer. If I needed bone breaking he was the one to call.

“What’s going on, boss?” Matteo asked, his voice smooth and steady like always.

“Got a call from the Syndicate. It's an important issue.” I informed them as we walked toward the garage.

“Let's get this over with then.” Luca said, cracking his knuckles.

We made our way to the garage. I slid into the back seat of the sleek, black SUV along with Luca, while Matteo took the driver’s seat and started the car, driving us off.

“Have an idea what this is about, boss?” Matteo asked, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

“It should probably be involving the Serpent Gang.” I deduced.

“Those pricks.” Luca growled.

I allowed my thoughts cloud my mind about what the Syndicate wanted with me. It was always something of annoyance when they called. Regulators were truly the bane of my existence….amongst other things.

My thoughts got interrupted when the car swerved. At the corner of my eye I saw someone on a bike swerved the opposite direction. Matteo swore under his breath checking the side mirror.

“What the hell was that?” Luca shot at Matteo.

“I'll handle this.” Ghost stepped out of the car, glaring at a lady. She was the one on the bicycle. “Are you blind?”

I tilted my head closer to the tinted window. She looked bewildered, with her long chestnut hair behind her head and widened hazel eyes.

She slowly got off her bike and apologized. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? Do you know how expensive this car is? Could you even pay for it if you scratched it?”

She looked at him with an uncanny expression. Almost as if a light had gone off in her head.

“But did I scratch it?” She shot back, I raised a brow. “Look, you jerk. Your fancy car is still in one piece. I’m in one piece, thank God. But I’m late for work so I don’t need your petty argument this morning. Take a hike and get a life for heaven’s sake.”

I watched her mount her bike without a glance back in Matteo's direction.

“Well, damn.” Luca smirked.

Ghost stalked back to the car, his face not at all pleased. “Who the hell was that kid?”

“Come on, we are going to be late.” I urged. Matteo seemed to grumble but he returned a stiff nod starting up the car again.

As much as I'd have liked to entertain Matteo's squabbles and poke fun at how that girl set him straight I didn't have the mental capacity.

We arrived at The Club a few minutes later. Inside, the atmosphere was tense as usual. The organizers were still arranging the club after last night's party.

We were led into a private room where Victor Di Angelo also known as the Viper. He was the leader of the Serpent Gang, the Moretti family's biggest issue. He sat with a nasty smile on his face.

“I should kill you where you sit.” I threatened, my voice low.

“Ah, Moretti, I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up.” Victor teased, the ugly scar on his left eye tweaking just a bit.

“Cut the crap Victor.”

Victor's grin didn't falter. “Scared of some cops? I thought the Moretti Family was bigger than that. Guess you're all just a bunch of pussies.”

“You—” Luca was about to attack him, but I raised my left hand.

“That's enough, gentlemen.” An old man walked in, escorted by a bigger guy with a thick neck, a gun strapped to his side.

He took a seat opposite us, while I remained standing, staring daggers into Victor. I wanted to wipe the smirk off his ugly face and turn his head into a trophy.

“Enough of this petty feud. The Council has decided that there should be no more stupid brawls between your groups.” The man ordered.

“Are you serious?” I growled. “The Serpents—”

“It's not up for debate, Moretti. It has been decided.” The old man said, leaving no room for protest. “Moreover, the Syndicate has other uses for you than your petty arguments.”

He passed a file each towards both of us, his eyes focusing on Victor as he addressed us.

“We have a job for both of you. Do it right and you'll get a reward. Do it wrong and you know what happens.”

“Yes.” Victor replied, getting up from his seat after taking the file. “Would that be all?”

“Yes.” The old man replied.

“See you around, Dante.” Victor said, passing beside me as he exited the room.

“Thanks.” I said sarcastically, grabbing the file exiting the room and the building. Walking back to the car, my blood boiled underneath my skin.

“I should have killed that bitch when I had the chance.” I muttered.

Matteo glanced over at me. “Maybe we still can after all this. For now, how about you take out that frustration on someone else. What do you say, boss?”

“I like the way you think. Let's pay a visit to some defectors. I want to punch something so bad.” Luca agreed.

“Very well then.” I agreed also, stepping into the car.