Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Vincenzo

Zion was staring me down. He'd never outright yell at me—that would be disrespectful, and he was nothing if not by the book.

"Is there a problem with my orders, Zion?"

His hand rubbed over his shaved head, and he sighed. "I will do as ordered, Praeses; it is my duty. But the last time you sent me to Westford to speak with Master Brennan, he told me he'd no longer meet with me until you have shown him the respect of a face-to-face."

To Zion's credit, he wasn't wrong in his worry. Fred Brennan on his own wasn't a huge threat to Lex Talionis. We were an elite, extremely large, assassin organization. I could order the destruction of the Brennan Clan, and they'd cease to exist. However, he had strong allies over in Haven Hart. If they teamed up with Fred, it would be cause for concern.

"I understand what he told you, Zion. But I have never met with the heads of any family, organization, or other. There's a reason for that."

He nodded and sat back in his chair. "Safety. I know."

As praeses of Lex Talionis, it was imperative I remain cloaked. Many people would love to see me perish if only to force Lex Talionis to scramble in finding a new leader. It was how my predecessor had met his end. After we'd removed a criminal element from a Japanese-sanctioned territory—not hired, it was our duty to remove evil beings, ones whose time on this earth was toxic and gaining nothing—they'd wanted to thank the past praeses. Against my recommendation as his colonellus, he'd gone and the head of the Aikawa family had slit his throat.

They'd thought they'd take Lex Talionis for everything, but they'd been severely mistaken and now the Aikawa family was nothing but ashes and memories.

"Have you explained this to Fred?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose. The setting sun cast a peaceful glow over the garden, where Zion and I were sitting. His dark skin was flawless, his eyes sharp. He didn't do it often, but his smile could end arguments. He was a beautiful man…and my closest friend.

"I suggest you do. The reason I can go to the movies, out to dinner, anywhere at all is because to the world I'm nobody. If every violent entity knew my face, it would be war, and I so hate wars."

He pursed his lips and handed me a tablet.

"What's this?"

"I will do as you order, Vincenzo, but you should be aware of some information I have uncovered regarding the Brennan family."

I pressed the button, awakening the tablet. It was filled with notes, maps, and names. "Is there distress?"

"Very much so. I believe Fred is oblivious to it all."

As I scrolled, only reading snippets of the extensive notes, I recognized all of the parties mentioned. While I knew what he looked like, I'd never been in Fred's physical presence. I was, however, aware of his operation and those he surrounded himself with.

I'd said nothing to anyone, but Frederick Brennan was the most stunning man I'd ever seen. But that wasn't what shrouded me in awe. It was his dream. He was a doctor, helping people live. His heart was too kind for the malignant nature of being a mafia boss. He was stuck in a position he didn't want, but he held on in the hope his cousin would take over. A false hope. I suspected the reason he hadn't simply run was twofold. One, he wanted to be a doctor, and being in hiding would crush that dream. Two, he feared what the Brennan family would do if he couldn't keep an eye on them. He was noble, a man I'd swoop up and bring into Lex Talionis's fold in a heartbeat…and into my bed.

"He doesn't wish to lead."

Zion hummed. "He might get his wish, but I fear it will deliver him to his death."

"When you meet, perhaps share these insights with him."

Zion held out his hand, and I placed the tablet in it. "Vincenzo, if he orders me to never return, it will sever the ties we have with Manos, Blackrose, and all of Haven Hart, as well as Fred Brennan."

"It would be a cut he'd be making on his own. We could argue our side with the others involved."

Zion tilted his head. "I understand the secrecy, but perhaps arrangements could be made in which Fred would come to you in private to meet."

The idea of Fred coming to my home excited me more than I'd let Zion witness. "See how this meeting goes. If he's pulling out of our alliance, call me and I will have an answer for you then. Right now I need to think."

"Very well, sir. My plane leaves in the morning."

"Safe travels."

The morning draped a warm glow through the corridor leading to the basement. Every morning, I dressed, went over my daily schedule with my generalis, Aurora, and ate breakfast with my sister, Mary.

The stone steps spiraled, so narrow anyone unfamiliar would likely stumble upon descent. I'd lived in this estate for most of my life and could run up and down them with my eyes closed.

The basement was finished, beautifully decorated, warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and far more luxurious than my sister deserved. She should have been killed for her betrayal, but I couldn't bring myself to do so; therefore she was a prisoner of Lex Talionis.

Two years ago, she'd stolen a chest full of Lex Talionis coins that were used as calling cards; we rested them upon our victims so everyone knew we'd been the executioners to whomever's fate. She'd then hired mercenaries with no ties to Lex Talionis and posed as the elite assassin group.

She'd traveled to Haven Hart and ordered the deaths of deserving people but afterward, she'd targeted Christopher Manos, Terrence Blackrose (better known as Black), and Poe (the Hart heir)—pretty much the powerhouses of the entire area. And she'd done it in the name of Lex Talionis.

Mary Belini wanted to be part of my organization. As my sister, many thought I'd give her a pass to join, but she'd had to go through the same trials everyone else did. And she'd failed epically. She could fight but psychologically, she was unhinged. She had a problem with authority, and in the end, she'd been rejected. Her tyranny on Haven Hart was her way of trying to prove to me she could be part of the organization, but all it had done was convince me that my choice to refuse her entry was warranted.

"Good morning, Sister." I walked over and sat at a table beside a large window.

"Right," she grunted as she plopped into her chair across from me.

She was able to go outside under heavy guard, and only since a few months ago had she been allowed to eat with me minus bars between us. That said, we sat at a distance, and there were guards around the area.

"Sleep well?" I grabbed a piece of toast and began buttering it.

"We don't need to do these pleasantries every morning, Vince." She stabbed at her scrambled eggs, glaring at me.

"You know, Mary, any other praeses, and you'd be dead by now…even Father."

She snorted, but there was a flash of fear there. "Why haven't you killed me?" Her accent was thick, unlike mine. I was older and had come over to North America from Italy at the age of ten. I'd had the best tutors and schooling my parents could buy. Mary had stayed behind with our mother. When our mother died, Mary was twenty and Father had called her here.

"Do you want to die?" I sipped my coffee and regarded every flicker of emotion that crossed her face.

"I want to live, Vince. But you keep me prisoner here like a monster."

Softly, I placed my cup down and leaned closer, though not too close. "You are a monster, Mary. You've disgraced Lex Talionis, and you are a problem. The fact that you are my sister and I love you is the only reason you breathe." I sighed and pushed back. "It would break my heart, but if you want death, I will grant it."

She didn't say anything after that, and breakfast was silent. I would execute her should she ask, and I'd mourn her loss. But I'd get over the loss in time.

I was the praeses of Lex Talionis. Death was my business. The fact that my sister was still alive proved that love got in the way.