adjust my tie, then turn to face him.
“After what’s happened, the other families will be watching. Looking for a weakness. Any weakness. I need you by my side.”
“You don’t need anything, Brother. You have everything you could possibly want.”
“You mean everything you could possibly want.” I shake my head, wanting to change the subject. “You’re really going to wear that?”
“You bet.” He swallows the whiskey down.
“Suit yourself.”
I see us reflected side-by-side in the mirror. Brothers, but you wouldn’t know it at first glance given my dark hair and olive skin and Dominic’s lighter coloring. But it’s important we’re seen together. United. The two remaining Benedetti brothers.
Although it’s no secret that Dominic hates me. When I told him to clean himself up because he’d be coming with me tonight, I didn’t expect him to listen.
Giving a nod, I reach for my shoulder holster, slip it on. Dominic’s already got his under his jacket. I don’t anticipate trouble, but Bishop’s Landing will be crawling with mobsters in their Sunday best tonight. I’m not taking any chances.
“I hear Tinsley was a friend of Lucia DeMarco way back when,” Dominic says.
I know what he’s doing. Stirring the pot. It’s what he’s best at. Fucking with other people’s lives and walking away when the shit hits the fan.
“Did you?” I adjust my ring, pretend to study the Benedetti family crest for a minute.
“Do you have any idea what the fuck a coming-out party is anyway?”
I chuckle at that. “An excuse for rich people to show off just how rich they are?” I turn to face him and brush something off his shoulder before fixing him in a stare. “It’s also a message for you to keep your hands off this particular girl. Tinsley Constantine is off limits, understand? I don’t want trouble with the Constantine family.”
He rolls his eyes. Doesn’t even hide it. “Well, let’s hope she has some cute friends then.”
I grin, pat him on the back. “That’s the spirit. Ready?”
“Let’s go.”
The ball is being held at the Constantine estate. Although we don’t do business with the family, I saw the guest list. The cream of the crop will be attending tonight’s gala.
It’s good to show our faces in this crowd. Remind them the Benedetti family is still here, united and stronger than ever.
My Bugatti is waiting for us on the driveway.
“Mind if I drive?” Dominic asks.
After a moment’s hesitation, I toss him the keys. “Don’t hit anything.”
“Wouldn’t dream of putting a dent in your baby.”
We climb in, and he adjusts his seat. I watch him for a minute. My younger brother. My angry younger brother. He doesn’t make it easy to love him, that’s for sure. Sergio felt the same way.
Never mind that I know something about Dominic I shouldn’t know. Something that would kill him if he ever found out. And whenever he’s a dick—which is often—I just have to try to remember the consequences of spilling.
Dominic hits the gas like he’s on a racing circuit, and we screech down the long driveway through the tall gates of my house toward Bishop’s Landing, leaving the two SUVs of soldiers in the dust. They’ll wait closer to the party in case there’s any trouble.
“Who gave you a fucking driver’s license?” I ask.
“The great state of Pennsylvania.”
“I bet that’s a decision they regret.”
He flips me off, and we drive in silence for the next half hour until we get to the guarded entrance of the estate. Security is checking names off their list.
I look at the house, at all the lights, hear the buzz already coming from beyond the gates.
My brother’s looking too and smiling. This is where Dominic shines. He’s mostly a dick, but he can be charming when he wants to be. I have no doubt he’ll find the cutest of Tinsley’s friends, maybe a pair of them, and have some fun tonight.
I shake my head at the thought. He thinks I’ve got it all. I wish I could be as carefree as he is.
He rolls down his window and greets the man with the clipboard. Our names are checked against the list, and a few minutes later, we are welcomed onto the property.
We drive toward the house and reach the circular drive to stop behind a row of limousines where guests are unloading. Valets, most of whom double as security guards, dot the place like ants, and already I see a lot of fire power.
I grab our masks and hand Dominic his. Mine is simple. A half-mask Phantom of the Opera