WORSE THAN HIM?

Her head trembled slightly as the metal pressed hard against the back of her head,

“Turn around, slowly.” The voice commanded, her legs felt like led but she forced them to turn slowly, her throat bobbing in a nervous swallow.

Turning completely, her eyes caught the dark ones staring back at her.

A man, one she’d never seen before. His head bled softly from a shallow graze just above his brow.

He wore a white shirt, the collar open and the fabric clung to his broad shoulders that were almost as tempting as Lucian’s.

Small blood splatters painted the cotton fabric like a warning.

His grip on the pistol barely shifted, as he aimed the pistol between her eyes. But Aria remained still, trembling softly.

“I-I’m Lucian’s prisoner,” she mouthed, her eyes gazing down shakily. His gaze narrowed, and the gun lowered an inch.

“You’re still fresh,” He muttered, almost like an insult. Then his mouth curled into a disdainful smirk. “Another whore for Lucian’s collection?”

She could be chained, tortured sexually or even beaten but she could not be called his whore.

Her eyes flared, “I’m not his whore, I’m his captive!”

The sound of the pistol cocking again tore through the air, “Do you have any idea who you’re speaking to, ragazza ?” He fired, stepping forward and putting the barrel back to her forehead.

Aria raised both her hands in surrender, her chest rose and fell in rhythm.

Her gaze rose slowly to hold his, and she could tell he had much more temper than Lucian, and they shared a striking resemblance.

“Let her go, brother.”

Lucian’s voice cut through the tension, he walked in casually, adjusting his cufflinks.

His gaze flickered over Aria for a split second, lingering on the photograph she clutched to her chest, before resting on the man beside her.

Aria’s gaze moved from Lucian and then back to the man, she knew they looked alike. She could tell from the eyes, carrying the same dark intentions like Lucian.

“This one’s got a foul mouth. Are you just buying anything you see now?” The man sneered, finally stepping back.

Lucian moved behind the desk, pulling open the top drawer. He pulled out a cigar, clipped it, his thumb pressed on the gold plated lighter, and the flame danced around in his eyes.

He sat on his swivel chair, and stretched his legs, crossing them on the desk,

“Domenico, she’s Camilla’s sister.” He blew out a thin stream of smoke, Domenico froze.

His hand lowered the gun completely, but his expression shifted into something much different.

“Camilla?” He gritted, “Mi stai dicendo che e imparentata con il ladro?” (You’re telling me she’s blood related to that thief.)

Lucian’s eyes remained silent, just leaned back in his chair, smoke curled around his face like flames.

Then he responded, “Si….”

Aria’s gaze flickered back and forth between them, she could see Domenico’s jaw clenched. What did he say to him? fuck, she should have taken those Italian classes from that geek sharing the flyer back in college.

“What’s the feedback from Mexico?” Lucian asked, dragging on the cigar.

Domenico finally tore his eyes away from Aria, he picked up a black case that was on the ground and placed it on the table.

Peeling off his gloves, he pressed the latch and it snapped open.

A wave of nausea suddenly washed over Aria, her throat got drier yet bile still threatened to tear through her lungs.

Her hands held her belly to control herself as she staggered back,

Inside the case, a row of severed index fingers chopped clean and tagged like prized collectibles.

Her eyes snapped back to Domenico, he was worse than Lucian. What a monster.

Lucian exhaled smoke, “You and your trophies,” he muttered darkly, “Still playing butcher?” His fingers grazed over a ring still clinging to one of the fingers.

“You chopped off every single one until they told you what, exactly?”

He leaned against the wall, “That her bitch of a sister is dating Rafael, Monterio’s golden boy.” Aria felt her heart stop, Camilla left her alone to be with a man?

“You’re sure?” Lucian asked, “Camilla’s with them. Monterio’s been using her and what she took to track us.” His gaze fell back on Aria, hated pooled in his eyes.

“And the Carranza cartel in Mexico?” Lucian dropped his legs from the desk, killing the cigarette in the ashtray.

Domenico leaned off the wall, “They’ve cut a deal with the Monterios, guns and ammo through the eastern pots, and drugs at every depot.

They’re building a new alliance.” He glanced back at Aria. “Your pet’s sister brought their eyes too close to the coast. They’ll find Liana.”

Aria swallowed dryly, when did Camilla do all these? She thought she knew her sister, but obviously Camilla was living her life way better than she imagined.

Yet again, she was to suffer.

Lucian’s demeanor seemed to soften, for a split second worry flashed across his features. Who was Liana? And what is she to him? or it.

“What do we do?” His brow twitched,

“We get ready for war, that’s what.” Domenico snapped, “We would make allies with the bratva. You need to call her,”

A soft groan escaped Lucian’s throat, turning his back on both of them, while he gathered his thoughts. Aria couldn’t stay silent anymore, she stepped forward,

“Are you going to kill my sister?” Her voice shook, Domenico got in front of her.

“Some answers,” he said menacingly, “will cost you everything.”

Aria’s fists clenched at her side, her eyes holding his in a dangerous glare.

“And unlike you,” he said with a snarl, “Your sister….e carne morta” (is dead meat.)

“Enough,” Lucian voice cut through the tension, as he turned back. His hand held the chair, flexing his forearms.

“We need to move fast…” He muttered, before lifting his gaze to both of them.

“Are you sure it’s safe to? Rafael could have spies everywhere.” Domenico asked, Lucian exhaled softly, leaving behind the chair and approaching Domenico.

“So do we,” He snapped, “Pack for Italy tomorrow” approaching the door

“We need to move Liana.”