Chapter 4

It didn't take long for the master bedroom door next to the closet to open.

"Mia?" Lucas sounded surprised. "What are you doing in my room? Go back to yours."

Mia immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Godfather, I'm scared. Ares always slept in my bed. Don't make me leave tonight."

I heard the wet sound of her kissing his throat. "Godfather, why are you burning up?"

I knew exactly where her hands were going.

Lucas's breathing turned ragged. His voice dropped into a gravelly whisper.

"Mia... Jesus. You shouldn't tempt me like this."

He grabbed her chin. Their breaths mingled.

Listening to them from the dark closet, the very last shred of hope I held for this man turned to ash.

I raised a hand and wiped my face. My palm came away wet and freezing cold.

So I can still cry.

Just as the sounds through the wall grew frantic, a massive crack of thunder shook the villa.

Lucas stopped dead. He gasped for air.

"Thunder. Selena hates storms. And her shoulder... I need to check on her."

I heard the rustle of fabric as he threw his suit jacket over Mia. "Go to sleep."

The bedroom door slammed shut. His heavy footsteps faded down the hall.

Mia yanked open the closet door, her face twisted in bitter rage.

"Happy? Even drugged, his subconscious picks you."

A mocking smile touched my lips.

"Happy I raised a viper?" I sneered. "Or happy he didn't fuck you? He had his pants off, Mia. Does it even matter if he finished?"

His internal scale had already tipped.

I demanded absolute loyalty and unreserved devotion. I didn't want the pathetic scraps of guilt he threw my way after weighing his options.

I stared her down. "Remember the rule I set the day you took your oath? Traitors die."

The moment the words left my mouth, the bulletproof glass shattered inward.

Heavily armed Dark Raven mercenaries swarmed the room in seconds, pressing the cold muzzles of their assault rifles directly against Mia's skull.

All the color drained from her face. "How... what is your connection to the Dark Raven Syndicate?! How can you command them?!" she shrieked.

I didn't have the patience to explain. "Drag this idiot back to New York."

I was going to settle the score with both of them at once.

The moment I stepped through the doors of the New York estate, a furious shouting match echoed from the living room.

"Get the hell out! Who gave you permission to step foot on Gambino turf?!"

Then, a lazy, laughing male voice replied:

"My sweet Selena promised I'd be the man of the Russell house one day."

I couldn't help but chuckle. What is this maniac doing here?

I pushed the double doors open.

Lucas's face was livid. He was glaring daggers at the young man lounging comfortably on our leather sofa.