Normally, my brother’s obviously psychotic tendencies and his love for bloodshed wouldn’t appeal to me. It doesn’t really freak me out, either. I can kill people too, and I have. Doing it for sport just isn’t my thing.
But tonight? I can’t help but feeling drawn to it.
And before I know it, I’ve said something I’ve never said to Nico before.
“Can I join you?”
Chapter One
Matteo
Present Day
In my experience, weddings are unpredictable. Two families coming together as one can be a tricky thing, even for normies. But when two notoriously powerful mafias are thrown into one place for several hours, tension is inevitable.
A more naive man might think that this wedding could be an exemption to the rule. That because my sister and Dmitri are already technically married and have two babies together, the Morozovs and the Morettis would be one big happy family prior to showing up here today. Never mind that we were never truly enemies before Jade fell for the Russian heir. Made men are paranoid to the bone. We don’t trust each other, not fully.
It can be exhausting to be on your guard while trying to enjoy a good reception, and that’s why I’ve decided not to be. My more mistrustful brothers and my father take that responsibility in stride so I don’t have to. Apollo and Elio have been scanning the crowd of guests on a loop since before Jade and Dmitri even said their vows.
Me? I’m making sure that my baby sister has the best time possible.
When we found out that Jade existed, that she had gone almost eighteen years without us, I vowed that I wouldn’t waste a single day with her. She went through unimaginable trauma before discovering that she had a dad and nine older brothers to boot.
Now? Her life is damn-near a fairytale, and I intend to keep it that way.
So far, I’ve given her a dance, made her laugh countless times, and twirled my niece around the dance floor until she giggled so hard that she got the hiccups—which earned me the biggest smile yet. The way to my dear little sister’s heart is definitely through her babies. She loves Isobella and Cesar more than I’m capable of conceptualizing.
Therefore it’s my duty as her best friend and closest brother to be not only an epic sibling, but a stellar uncle. Having eight brothers and a brother-in-law to compete with as the favorite uncle might intimidate someone else, but as the youngest Moretti man, I’ve been making myself stand out since before I could stand up.
Tossing my suit jacket down onto the back of my chair, I take a deep breath and steady myself for my next course of action. I have no clue how my plan is going to go. It could be one of my most idiotic ideas, or one of the best. Which is why I’ve enlisted myself some backup.
“Are you doing this now? Or am I going to have to keep twiddling my thumbs while you continue to fuck around?”
“Hello, Nico,” I greet dryly, meeting his eyes as I smother a chuckle at his tone. “Having a good time, are you?”
Though he’d probably like nothing more than to punch me in the dick, his face doesn’t move an inch. Those cold and emptyeyes of his stare blankly up at me as he drawls, “I’d have more fun putting my hand in a blender.”
I huff, beginning to roll my sleeves up. “Love spending time with you too, bro. I cherish every moment of it.”
Again, his expression remains blank. “Why have I agreed to help you, again?”
Sleeves finished, I move on to rolling my eyes. “Because you want to kill someone, and if one of them shoots me, you’ll get your wish?”
“I’ll only get to hurt them if they kill you.” He’s basically pouting at the unlikelihood that I’ll be murdered tonight.
God, he’s such a little fucker.
If I didn’t know him so well, I might be offended that he sounds bummed out that I’m probably not going to die tonight—and therefore he can’t avenge my death with his special brand of ruthless carnage.
“Let’s just do this,” I say, clapping him on the back and quickly retracting my hand. Nico’s not a fan of being touched. “You’ve got my back?”
“Don’t move too fast, don’t touch her, don’t insult them,” he says, listing the warnings off like he needs to remind me. “And you’ll be fine.”
“Awww, youdocare.” I cover my heart with a hand, feeling touched.
“I hope you trip and eat shit in front of her.”
Annnnd the sentiment is lost.
