The thought was a good one.
Aleksei Petrov finally strolled into the room, his usual dark demeanor different than I was used to. Almost immediately he began to pull out cigars, the smile on his face a rare occurrence.
“To what do we owe this celebration?” Miguel asked, eagerly taking one of the cigars.
“I have news,” the Russian said with a lilt in his voice.
Dominick shook his head, giving me a slight smile. “Does this mean you and your lovely bride are expecting?”
“I found that out at the wedding.” Aleksei hummed softly to himself as he walked toward the bar, preparing the usual drinks that we all consumed during one of our alliance meetings. “She gave birth a week ago.”
“Don’t leave us in the dark,” I said, trying to be jovial. It was hard to believe that eight months had gone by since the Russian situation had occurred.
We were the Sons of Darkness, princes of our father’s various mafia regimes. We’d become friends during our eighteen months together, our powerful realms expanded by the knowledge that if necessary, we’d provide muscle for whatever situation one of us had to endure. As Aleksei handed out several drinks, I realized that I was the last of the group to find happiness.
Alone.
Just like Sierra had accused me of.
I’d actually considered the fact the other four had grown attached to a woman a weakness, although I’d never expressed anything of that nature. We certainly kept honor and respect among our group, the realization that our respective family organizations were much stronger since we’d become colleagues important.
Now? Hell, I’d begun to think they’d become more powerful in their leadership abilities since they’d found the loves of their lives.
“And,” Aleksei hesitated as he turned to face us, lifting his usual vodka drink into the air. “It’s a boy.”
“Congratulations,” Michael was the first to say, slapping Aleksei on the back enthusiastically.
“And a girl.” Aleksei grinned.
“Another set of twins,” Michael beamed. “Must be the liquor we’re drinking.”
There was a sense of camaraderie as we toasted his good fortune, a sense of friendship that certainly hadn’t been expected in the beginning. We were supposed to be enemies. While we’d kept the secret from our fathers, we all sensed they were aware of our connection.
An alliance made from blood and violence.
And for some insane reason, I’d never felt so alone in my life.
“It is a great accomplishment and my biggest joy. To be able to have children with Willow is more than I could have hoped for,” Aleksei continued, lifting his glass even higher before gulping over half. I’d seen the hint of sadness in the man’s eyes. We all had endured so much in the last year and a half. A lifetime worth.
Dominick shot me another look, studying me carefully. He’d been surprised when he’d been the first one I’d called, asking for more extensive help. The Lugiano family held court with dozens of politicians and members of the FBI and CIA. Some were on their payroll while others merely had an understanding with the kingpin. If anyone could hunt down who was backing Axel’s group, it was him.
Everyone within Dominick’s turf knew to stay out of their business and there would be less crime in the streets. So far, the arrangement had worked well for New York. Perhaps I needed to sweep into and mirror his family’s business practices, although that wouldn’t bode well with my father.
He finally moved back to the computer, keeping the screen away from anyone who might enter the room other than the five of us. “Come, gentlemen. We have much business to discuss. Lorenzo needs our help.”
“Ah, yes, the asshole known as Axel Movino,” Aleksei hissed. “Svin’ya.”
“Even I know that word in Russian and he is a pig,” Dominick said, laughing. “But he’s well-funded from various takedowns through the Midwest. He’s scum that needs to be dealt with.”
“I’ve heard he has Bratva ties,” I offered.
Aleksei snorted. “Not Bratva. He doesn’t have what it takes, but he’s spouted off enough shit about being a card-carrying member to develop several enemies because of that alone. More important, his cartel has been putting out feelers for months, looking to venture out.”
“Into what?” Miguel asked.
“Serious party favors for high rollers. Money laundering as well. The cartel has been actively recruiting members like PTA moms selling Tupperware,” Dominick answered, waiting until the two waiters who’d brought more food left, closing the door behind them.
In the meantime, I continued to fume. It seemed that I’d underestimated Axel’s capabilities.
Dominick turned the laptop to face us, stepping back as we crowded around. “These are a few of the reports from different parts of the country. Your boy Axel has tentacles reaching all the way into Mexico. Heard there’s even some shit going down between them and the Jalisco cartel.”
“The next generation or so they’re called. They are true savages,” Aleksei offered. “Why not just allow their leader to know where Axel is?”
Michael was the first to laugh. “You know Lorenzo, Aleksei. He prefers to handle his own business his way. Why do I have a feeling there’s more to this?”
I took a sip of my drink, my appetite in the toilet. “You heard about the Illinois senator whose son was just murdered?”
“Heard about it on the flight. The press painted your family out as the number one suspect. I take it you had nothing to do with it.” Dominick smiled after issuing the words.
“I may dislike the senator, but I’m no fool. My goal isn’t to start a war, even though it looks I might not be able to avoid it,” I answered, swirling what little was left of my drink.
“You think Axel is involved?” Miguel asked.
“I know he is because I’m harboring the single witness to the crime.” My answer at least didn’t seem to shock them.
“And let me guess,” Aleksei began. “You’re sleeping with her.”
“Let’s just say that she and I have a certain… connection, but even better. She’s the daughter of the FBI agent dead set on taking down my family,” I retorted, giving him an off-handed smile.