“You do know it’s not your job to save people, right?” My best friend looks me dead in the eye. “You’ve always had ahero complex,” he says. “It’s not your job to keep everyone else afloat.”
His words hold up a mirror, forcing me to confront the truth. To some extent, he’s right.
“She’s just a woman, Matteo. There are millions more in this city.” Valerio tries to reason with me. “But women in our world can be a man’s downfall. We’ve both seen what a seductress can do to powerful men.”
He’s right; I’ve been telling myself the same thing. Trying to convince myself to let go of this obsession with her. Because that’s exactly what it is. An obsession.
I sip my whiskey as the waiter hands us another round.
I open my mouth to speak again, but that’s when Marcello Faravelli makes an appearance. He strides through the doors like he owns the place—all power, no weakness.
The last piece of our unholy trinity.
The Three Sons of Shadow—that’s what they call us. Two heirs to the most powerful syndicates, and one lethal soldier from a bloodline everyone respects and fears.
“Why does he always look like he’s modeling when he walks into a room?” Valerio grumbles from his chair. “I swear, the man moves in slow motion.”
I chuckle under my breath, watching our third piece waltz in like the world was built for him.
His brown eyes sweep over the lounge as he makes his way toward us. He’s the perfect blend of me and Valerio. Where Valerio is all brute strength and zero remorse, Marcello actually empathizes with people. I fall somewhere in between—equal parts force and feeling. Though the latter still struggles to manifest in me.
“You’re both a sight for sore eyes,” he says once he’s close enough. “I see you’ve started without me.”
“You were late, as usual. A drink waits for no one, Marcello.” Valerio lifts his glass as Marcello settles into his seat. “Don’t tell me you were with… what’s her name again?”
“Her name is Marta, and you’d do well to show her some respect, Valerio.” Marcello gestures for the waiter. “She’ll be my wife one day.”
“Wife?” Valerio twists his face in disgust. “Is this where we are now? I remember just last year we were taking over clubs together—fucking women, closing deals, and doing it all over again.”
“We grew up,” Marcello says quietly. “You do realize we’re heads of organizations now? We’re not fucking Hugh Hefner.”
“That’s one way of putting it.” I tip my glass toward him.
Valerio blinks at us like we’ve lost our minds. “I can’t believe this. How can anyone choose just one woman? There are far too many to choose from.”
“Better pining after one woman than trying to sleep with the whole city,” I shoot back. “I’m shocked your dick hasn’t rotted off.”
Valerio shrugs. “I’m young, rich, and the world’s at my feet. Marriage isn’t in the cards for me. I’m happy playing the loyal sidekick.”
I roll my eyes. Then I turn to Marcello. “How are you handling everything since the transition to El Capo?”
Marcello shrugs as the waiter sets his drink down. “Not much of a difference. My father was sick for so long that I was in charge months before he finally passed. But if I’m being honest with you, I couldn’t care less about the business.”
I hum in agreement. This world isn’t for the faint of heart, and there are nights I question why I’m still here. It’s not the money or the power. It’s the legacy. I’m a ninth-generation boss; my family built this empire brick by bloody brick. That doesn’t get thrown away.
“But you’re still here,” Valerio says. “I understand you don’t like the darker side of things, Marcello. But this is your family’s legacy. The blood that was spilled to build what you have can’t be forgotten.”
“I’m still here, aren’t I?” Marcello sighs and takes a sip from his glass. “But I just wonder how long I can go on. I’m alone right now, but what about when I have a family?”
“Then you’ll do what our fathers did for us. You’ll protect them, teach them, and show them the way of the brotherhood.” Valerio makes it sound so simple.
But the way of the brotherhood is riddled with dangers that could scare even the bravest of men.
The questions and concerns Marcello raises are the same ones I’ve asked myself, but never had the courage to voice. And now that I sit at the helm of the ship, I can’t help but wonder.
I have a responsibility to carry on our legacy. But what about when new responsibilities appear on the horizon? What if I have a daughter? Would I ever want her in this world? She would be born with a target on her back. I’d have a weakness everyone could exploit.
“Matteo?” Marcello draws me from my thoughts. “Are you okay?”
