Luna:
I don’t know, I’m starting to feel good about it.
Love you, but you’re too positive about most things.
Luna:
Fair. But doesn’t it just feel better to be positive?
Jules:
Chaos and conflict are her happy place.
As the oldest, I really don’t get the respect Ideserve.
My sisters and I arrive at the Luciano mansion on a Sunday morning like this is a normal thing we do. We are united, but unsmiling. The air feels heavy as we walk into enemy territory, even if the enemies say they want to help.
Niko greets us while he and a few of his men check us for weapons. Without coordinating, we all dressed in black tactical attire—most fitting when you’re not sure if you’re forming an alliance or starting a war.
Tactical black may be an everyday look for Jules, but definitely not Luna or me. Luna’s colorful wardrobe is the perfect match for her personality, the same way my tailored suits create the armor I don to rub elbows with Washington’s elites.
But the three of us have an alias for every occasion, and today I’ve stepped into my fighter persona. Sharp-eyed and ready—as if I’m entering a ring, not a meeting. Jules is not the only one with ninja assassin skills in our crew. We all have them. Luna and I are just as scary as her when it comes to a physical fight.
And make no mistake about it: This is a fight.
While we’ve decided to share a small part of our truth with thesepossibleallies, we are still playing characters today. No one can ever know our true identities. We’d be as dead as Jared in that jail cell—no doubt about it.
The Luciano mansion is exactly what you’d expect from a mafia dynasty. Stone walls, high ceilings, a fireplace that could swallow a Fiat, and enough security cameras and men with guns walking the perimeter to make Langley nervous.
We didn’t want them back at the warehouse, so meeting here made the most sense and offered the most privacy.
Don’t love it, though. Which is why we made them agree to no weapons and no guards in the room. Security have been informed we are free to leave any time we want.
Niko reiterates this as he guides us into the sunroom, whereHudson, Enzo, and Eva are waiting, and then he steps outside, presumably to take guard at the door.
It looks like they got the black tactical gear memo, too. Good. We are all ready for battle, then.
While technically sunlight is coming into this room, nothing about it feels particularly bright. It’s grand and moody, with iron-framed windows, stone floors, and enough expensive furniture to host the Queen of England.
Enzo takes a moment to introduce everyone to Eva as we settle into a loose circle, sinking into couches and high-backed chairs arranged like a council no one asked for.
Jules and Enzo are positioned at either end, staged like a boardroom brawl.
Hudson and Eva are on the far couch.
Luna curls up next to me, cross-legged, scanning the room like she’s deciding who she might kill first. She may present sunny and bubbly, but she’s as lethal as anyone sitting in this rag-tag group of possible-allies in the making.
“Thank you for the invite to this cute little mob brunch,” I break the silence. “Should we jump right in?”
“Sounds good.” Enzo’s demeanor is calm. Very different from the other night at my condo.
Hudson sits back, relaxed, presenting his normal playboy energy.
Eva has a smile on her face that offers way too much excitement and eagerness.
Didn’t expect that.Reminds me of Luna.
“We’ve discussed the offer of Vale,” I continue. “We’ve come today with a counteroffer.”
