oma

me from the front row as

s preferred

andles the spotlight, the speeches, and the diplomacy. I handle th

at in his stead.

but Father doesn't care; to him, duty

enes, exactly where I belong. Maneuvering numbers.

s my k

I just engaged in, fill

are engaged in a hushed conversation beside the car. I couldn't qui

icilian Mafia and the father of

o the Las Vegas port like a dying

ld take the time to strategize effectively, perhaps w

upon her, the formidable Sicilian princess. I

across her shoulders like aristocracy itself bo

iful,

g beauty, yet her utteranc

with that tone. But Luciana Moretti had looked me square in the eye-chin lift

ated me more, the fact

hat I found i

oman. He just called me," Mil

y sister. The softness in her voice

urning. My eyes narrow at the guards changing shifts bel

nto my shoulder, warm

esn't suit y

s between teas

pi

. Our family's cherished princes

cold kings of different thrones

s our hearts race for reaso

eyes sparkle with mischief. If she weren't an Orlov, she'd have found hers

r room, considering you're s

lts her head,

think to myself. "Just befo

memories slice th

d up with some mysterious man; I can still picture that jerk's hand gripping her wrist. If it weren't for the maid who

the disturbi

bysitters," she

ndrian suf

l it suf

. "I call it ke

s me, dramatic

it, wal

, except for the rhythmic hum of the tires an

e, my mind won't let go o

n Or

dged word he threw at me keep circling

embodiment, it would

off the tension, and almost fall into the nearest chair. I've barely

in plastered on his face that's just annoying enough. My little brother is four ye

wolves," I mutter.

oned. Matteo trails behind him, quieter, sharper-

permission before storming

tonio replies with a smirk that need

iece o

ow did it go? Did Father finally come to terms with the Russians, or

e," I reply, which i

dramatic bite of the apple, the c

et him?" Matteo asks. His v

ho

tleman Devil. I've heard he actually has the courtesy to s

o. He didn'

e did, you would've remembered. He l

el spotting chaos. "Hold up. If it wasn't him, the

up my neck. Matteo

someone,"

se he n

sharply. "More like c

idens. "Oh, this

le and turn to Mat

link. Antonio d

h. "The weapons strategist. The

The emotionless one who looks like he wa

he one,"

ened?" Mat

e. The way he dissected my words like he had every right. "I said

shock. "You? Competi

pillow a

ees. "Luci... Roman Orlov doesn't argue for sp

ce of artiller

far more dangerous. Which is

sses in for

issed off a man who can end a small

"though I'm not entirely sure.

v doesn't like anything. So that alr

?" I ask s

either become his enemy," M

life needed m

. "Well! This is shaping up to be fa

t," I d

s. "With

e Matteo throws one last knowing look over his s

e backward into the chair, realizing

wasn't suppo

he d

-

ext M

d bread envelops me. My father is already at the table, his newspaper neatly folded

ing his breakfast like someo

ng," I say

nowledges without raisin

in a good way-immediately puts me on edge. I sit down a

" my father starts. "They are... agreeable.

ied. "Considering we're not

piercing as glass.

ad slightly.

p down, interloc

nce, the Orlovs and I hav

nks. "An en

u and Adrian Orl

y, like stones tumb

y stomach twisted. The meal that had smelled so inviti

th families against the Las Vegas syndi

ess. "You're offering me

sponds calmly. "You've alway

did know, certainly. But knowing

nbothered soul, fina

he says. "Adrian's supposed to

ook. "What does 'decent'

y. He's polite. He helps his men. I don'

to thank him for his huma

p breath, clearly over

the Winter Gala next

nod, my throa

Antonio leans in w

re marrying so

l," I replied u