to do one of those, they never looked very good to outsiders.
Including enemy syndicates. After all, if the women could be attacked, how hard would it be to take out the men?
When the meeting came an end, a long conversation where each word was like moving a chess piece over the board, the sun had begun to set. For hours, we tried to prove we were the ones to fear, the most bloodthirsty out of us all.
Don’t test me, neighbor, our eyes warned our fellow bosses. I am the snake in the grass, the king of the hill. I may not be the current threat, but I am a threat all the same.
I respected Mitsuzo, Thomas Sr and Qiang. However, I found Vitale arrogant and stupid. His insistence on the Golden Age values reminded me of my family back in Russia, and how those ideas had worked for them.
It won’t be long, I thought as I listened to him try and assert dominance, until someone younger and smarter comes along to take his crown.
Two years ago, it had been me with that ambition in mind. But the Lombardi territory didn’t have what I wanted.
It didn’t have a green-eyed woman with a silver tongue and more secrets than she knew.
As I went to leave, Mitsuzo pulled me aside. We walked together to our respective boats, both of our men near and giving us privacy.
“The Rocchettis may have backed up your claim to Staten Island,” he said, “but you will have many more adversaries until that territory is truly yours.”
I smiled. “They can try.”
His dark eyes gleamed, recognizing the carnal protectiveness and ambition in my expression. “Indeed, they will.” He tilted his head. “Say...you are unmarried. If you want to cement your power, marry a girl from a powerful family. I have two beautiful daughters—you are welcome to either.”
“That is a very kind offer, sir,” I didn’t want to offend him, but I also didn’t want him to think he was in a position to pimp me out. “But I must decline.”
“Of course.” Mitsuzo smiled lightly. “I look forward to being neighbors, Konstantin.”
“As do I.”
We shook hands, both of us tightening our grip ever so slightly in dominance, before going our separate ways.
As the boat traveled back towards Staten Island, I looked out across the horizon. Tall sparkling buildings caught in the fading light, giants that loomed over us all.
“All the other bosses think someone is behind the killings. A third party, if you will,” I said.
“You believe them?” Artyom asked. Not disbelieving, just unsure.
I nodded slowly. “I do.” I cast my eyes towards home, towards my territory, towards her. “For now.”
12
Elena Falcone
Danika swung the door open before I knocked, her eyes bright and her smile wide. “Oh, Elena!” She caught my wrist and dragged me into the room. “I didn’t think you were going to come.”
“I need a dress,” I said. Originally, when Danika had invited me to get ready with Roksana, joined by herself and Tatiana, I had declined. But sitting in front of the mirror, alone, and in unfamiliar territory, had made me reconsider Danika’s offer.
Both Roksana and Tatiana were already in the room. Roksana was doing her hair by the vanity, whereas Tatiana lay on the bed, propped up my pillows, but looking flushed and healthier.
“Elena.” Tatiana was the first to notice me. “Come and try on some of the dresses I bought you.”
“You would look so pretty in the green one,” Danika told me. She crawled over the bed and sat beside Tatiana, cross-legged. “Come on, give us a show.”
“Leave her be,” Roksana called.
“It’s okay,” I said, nearing the dresses hung over the bathroom door. Most were protected by garment bags, so I unzipped them all and picked out the ones I liked best.
Tatiana chuckled suddenly, caressing her stomach. “Nikola is kicking. She always gets so excited when Elena’s here.”
“Nikola knows Elena is helping her mama,” laughed Danika. She held a hand to Tatiana’s stomach, both of them quiet as they waited for the next kick. Seconds later, they both laughed again. “I can’t wait to have another baby in the house.”
“Me too,” Roksana piped up. “And a little girl! It’ll be nice not being so outnumbered.”
Tatiana smiled widely. “I know, I know. Dmitri thinks she’s going to be a daddy’s girl, but I’m not so convinced.”
Danika ended up being right about the green dress. The emerald color of the fabric complimented my eyes and earthy-brown hair. It gave my willowy form definition, adding some curves and