It all started with an arranged marriage and our great-great-aunt. Much like Romeo, our great-great grandfather was the second son. That doesn’t mean he had no value to the family. His marriage was all about alliances.
When Carmine Angelo Amato set out to expand the family’s reach across the country and, maybe, take advantage of the gold rush, he did so with his bride, a few men loyal to him, and the bride’s sister. The sister had a secret, one she hid well, but it came out eventually.
To ensure his sister-in-law’s safety, Carmine opened a brothel as part of his underground dealings. Then his men watched her closely. We honor that history with Second Circle.
When I took over ten years ago, I kept a close eye on Romeo. He didn’t get it, but he took the most basic approach and had limited involvement.
I was good with it, but then I started having to deal with Morozov and all of his bullshit. My father had an understanding with Morozov, but I didn’t like him. He wouldn’t have known a straight up, no bullshit deal to save his life. He was always playing an angle.
It made working with the man impossible, but there weren’t a lot of options either.
Watching from the sidelines as Morozov was taken out? It was fucking priceless.
It was an entertaining shitstorm that brought new players into the picture. I’m fairly certain Kiril Volkov and his guys aren’t certain what to think about me. Which I don’t have a problem with.
Kirill and the three men closest to him, including his brother Maxim, have fallen in love with one woman. Oaklynn exists at the center of them, and they have become a pack of wild animals to keep her protected.
I wouldn’t want to be on their bad sides and, from what I heard, Oaklynn can hold her own.
I’m a little jealous that they were able to find a woman. One who can handle this life. One who will stick by them.
Because just as much as Kirill, Huck, Baker, and Maxim are obsessed with Oaklynn, she’s just as possessive of them. I suppose fate smiled down on them.
I’m not holding my breath for the same.
When would I even have time to meet someone? And I’m not talking about the women who normally throw themselves at me because they’re lured in by the promise of power, without realizing they’ll never be able to wield it.
No, only one woman will be able to stand by my side. My father said I would know her when I saw her.
It’s another one of those old stories which was passed down from generation to generation. Carmine’s marriage may have been about strength and connection, but it ended up being so much more. Fate’s hand. That’s what the men in my family have always called it.
Fate’s hand.
But my woman hasn’t shown up yet.
And now I’m left dealing with Romeo who is ducking me because he knows I want him to have my back about pumping the breaks on some of our illegal dealings. We should focus onthe businesses that will provide growth. And won’t put us in prison. The world is changing, and it might be time for us to adjust with it.
My gut is telling me to brace for what is about to go down. Worst case, I have to take out my own brother because he tries to start a coup. And Romeo has a way of always making the worst-case option a reality.
No one stops me when I step through the door of Second Circle and move directly through the reception area and into the main lounge. I’m a little surprised when I don’t see Romeo. He usually takes up a post at the bar because he likes the information it gives him.
The man loves leverage.
It has a time and a place, but it can’t be the only currency you deal in.
All that does is show your vulnerability.
But he’s not there.
As I keep moving toward the office area, some people try to hide their looks of surprise, but some don’t. The clients here don’t see me often. While I respect the history behind our family and the oldest profession, I think we can do better.
But no one is forced to be here.
When I swing open the door to Romeo’s office, it takes a second for me to take in what I’m seeing.
My brother has a woman pressed against the wall, her blonde hair wrapped up in his fingers as he holds her in place. She’s not crying. She’s not struggling.
But she doesn’t want to be pressed up against the wall by my brother.
