KillianEdoardo Lombardi wailed, his teeth stained with blood. “Just kill me, Ricci. For the love of God, shoot me in the head or the balls, I don’t care. Just let her go. Let Delaney go, please! She was never part of this!”He screamed as I grabbed him by the throat and bent his neck back over the metal edge of the chair. The single lightbulb flickering above his head illuminated the room, which was nothing more than a cement box covered in plastic stained with his blood.“Tell me who you sold the blueprints of my warehouse to.”That warehouse was a gold mine in a highly coveted location. A secret location, hidden in plain sight. It had been raided several weeks ago, before the Sera mess happened. Now I had a kingpin breathing down my neck and several bosses cowering at my feet, pleading their innocence.Everyone knew about the three warehouses only a few miles from here. Those were decoys, a distraction, mostly empty. Giuseppe thought he was slick trying to raid those and met my wra

KillianI lowered my gun.“How the hell do you keep getting out?” I almost choked on a laugh as fear flashed behind her eyes. I turned to Mikey, who looked just as shocked as she did. “Obviously it wasn’t you leaving her goddamn door open again.”Mikey pursed his lips, his eyes still on Sera, who pressed herself into the door like she could will herself to disappear right through the wood, her anger morphing into fear when she saw the revolver.“What are you doing down here, Sera?” I tucked my gun back into its holster. I looked down at her expectantly, watching the fear from having a pistol trained on her chest fade as she sized me, then Mikey, up. “Going for a run?” I motioned toward her brand-new sneakers.She flushed for a moment, then stuck out her chin and narrowed her eyes into cat-like slits. “Don’t kill my dad.”I arched my brow as I rounded my desk, crossing my arms over my chest.“I’m serious. Don’t kill him.”It was cute that she thought she could come down here and give m

KillianMorning sunlight split the room into long shadows. Several of my men were in the room, all of them leaning against walls or sitting with their legs splayed in the scattered armchairs in my office. Mikey twirled a pen over his fingers, which Francesco snatched out of his hands with an irritated growl. “I think it’s pointless,” Francesco said, tossing the pen onto my desk. “Giuseppe is an infant, Boss.”I shrugged, turning my coffee mug in a circle. “He may be young but he’s not stupid,” I replied firmly. “We’re going to teach him a very valuable lesson. He’s not untouchable. He’s under the impression he inherited his father’s legacy, when in reality, every other family is gunning for the opportunity to end the de Lucas now that he’s in power. I want to be the one to wipe them off the map.” I wanted to play with Giuseppe first and see how far I could push the man. Every man had a breaking point. I would take my time finding his. “We’ll raid his compound. That’s final.”I eyed F

Sera“You misunderstood her,” Tommaso told Delaney without a single shred of kindness. “Sera’s been locked up like you have. She wouldn’t have known if anyone came here. Your father isn’t here and hasn’t been here.”Delaney pressed on, her eyes wide. “But she said—”“No,” I cut in quickly. “Tommaso is right. I’ve been locked up for so long. I think I’m just hearing things.”Delaney sucked her lower lip and looked from me to Tommaso.“If your father comes here, you’ll be brought to see him. We’ll get all of this hashed out.” Tommaso pressed what looked like a call button.A second passed before an unfamiliar man stepped into the room.“You go eat, Delaney,” Tommaso commanded, his voice dropping into that icy, manipulative tone that always reminded me of what he really was and who he worked for.The man stepped inside and took Delaney by the arm, escorting her out of the room. He left the door open like I was meant to follow but Tommaso held out a hand, pointing to the door.“Shut it,”

SeraHow dare they?My hot shower did nothing to ease the rage chewing me up on the inside. Killian and Tommaso were playing games. Everyone in this seedy, depraved, sinful world knew nothing of kindness or mercy. They only dealt in pain and blood. And lies.I couldn’t organize my anger into a coherent line of thought as I shrugged into my nightgown and robe. I’d known I was part of some cruel game, but seeing Delaney’s grief and confusion cut me to the core.I wished I could tell Killian exactly how I felt about it when given the chance, but he still intimidated the hell out of me. I slid into bed, the silky sheets whispering against my bare legs, and nuzzled my face into the pillow. Closing my eyes, I imagined all the things I would say to Killian if he didn’t hold my life in the palm of his hand.I hate you.I want you.Stay away from me.Take me.“Get it together, girl,” I breathed, rolling onto my back and blinking up at the ceiling. Fire burned inside me, angry and tempted. How