Killian“Killian.” Sera breathed my name into the darkness. Her voice oozed with pleasure and contentment. I’d never heard her speak my name like that.I hovered over her, my breath ragged in my lungs, my cock still inside her. She made no effort to move. Instead, she lay there dreamily, a small smile curling the corners of her perfect lips. When her eyes fluttered open, they shone like gems in the darkness.Her gaze cut me.I pushed off the bed, leaving her empty and grasping at the blankets to replace my warmth.“Killian?” This time, my name held a note of confusion. Unease.That was more like it.She propped herself up on her elbows and watched as I zipped up my fly and moved to the door. “Where are you going?”“I have business to attend to,” I said flatly, pausing before I opened the door.“Oh. Are you coming back after?”I should have at least told her goodnight or said something—anything—but I simply walked out the door and locked it behind me, trapping her inside once again.Al

FredI wanted no part of any of this fucking mess. I’d done my time, paid my dues, and somehow gotten out of the mafia unscathed. Most men in my position, my age, would’ve been six feet under two decades ago, or have their bones resting at the bottom of the Atlantic by now.But not me. I knew for fucking certain it wasn’t luck. This was God’s spite, I was sure of it. Letting me live a long life while I watched men like Andre Bianchi continue to thrive.I’d bought my way out of the mess I’d made as a young, idealistic man. I’d groveled at Andre’s father’s feet and climbed the ranks to Caporegime while Andre was still licking the toes of strippers and swinging his gun around. He was the Bianchi prince at one time, capable of nothing, wanting for nothing, and somehow getting everything while the rest of us died or went to prison with RICO charges.Then he’d become my boss, and I spent the rest of my miserable existence doing his bidding in the name of the family.Andre wasn’t the kind of

SeraI didn’t hear anyone thundering after me when I left Killian’s office, so I decided to use my likely fleeting freedom to explore the house a little bit. I hadn’t spent much time in any room but my own, save for visiting Tommaso in his room. I assumed the second level was where most of the formal bedrooms were kept, but the mansion was built in an ancient style that made it impossible to figure out which hallways held bedrooms and which hallways held offices, or sitting rooms, or whatever else someone with money like Killian did with their space.I tried a few doorknobs, finding most of them locked as I crept through the eastern side of the house. But then I rounded a corner and found myself in a wide open space that overlooked the backyard. Couches and chairs were situated in a semi-circle in front of a massive fireplace, and bookshelves lined the walls, stretching to the ceiling.It was, in all regards, a library.I pursed my lips as I slowly fanned through the books, but I didn

Killian“Her name is Roxy Longo,” Fred said as he paced along the terrace, his hands tucked into his old leather jacket. “No affiliations to any families that I know of.”“Five million dollars is a lot for one dame,” I said dryly, leaning against one of the stone pillars supporting the arch over my front door. A moth fluttered around the light a few feet above my head. My eyes tracked back and forth, following Fred as he continued to pace, occasionally stopping to kick at a leaf or piece of gravel. I sighed. “Was she sold at an auction?”“No, it was a private exchange, from what I understand, but Riccardo Marino did handle the logistics.”“Why should I be interested in this, Fred? Andre’s new toy has nothing to do with me.”“I think it has to do with Sera’s situation.” He came to a stop a few feet away from me, the chill in the air causing his cheeks to flush. “I went to him a few days ago to plead her case. He didn’t even give me the opportunity to ask why he wasn’t coming after you

SeraMy ears rang as I looked back and forth between Fred and Killian. Fred, a man I trusted and loved like a father or uncle, and Killian, a man I hated but needed like I needed oxygen. Both of my worlds were colliding right in front of my face, but all I could think about was my father.Possibly the only man I hated more than Killian. And loved. And feared.“Is he dead?” I asked. My voice sounded hollow and competed with the ringing in my ears. What was that God awful sound? I reached out and steadied myself with a hand on Fred’s arm.“You didn’t tell her?” Fred closed his hand over mine and glared at Killian. “She’s been here this whole time, and you didn’t tell her?”Killian stood motionless a few feet away, looking more like a painting than a living, breathing man. Finally, he shifted his weight, and spoke. “This isn’t the time.”“No,” I said sharply. “Don’t do this to me. Please. I can’t stand not knowing anymore. Is he dead? Did you kill him?”Killian looked like I’d just slapp