The Banker (Banker 1)

“I know who he is,” Landon said coldly. “His reputation precedes him.”

Bones stared at my brother coldly, looking like a madman with all those tattoos. “Too bad yours doesn’t precede you.”

The tension between the two of them was palpable. I had enough problems on my hands, so I didn’t need my only two allies stabbing each other. “Look, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Cato, and I don’t know what to do.”

Bones turned to me, his eyebrows furrowed. “What the hell does that mean?”

“Yes,” Landon said. “Explain.”

“Cato isn’t the monster you make him out to be,” I said. “Maybe he does bad things, but he’s not all bad. He’s—”

“You’re kidding me with this bullshit?” Landon asked. “That murderer has killed more people than you’ve met in your lifetime. He keeps the mob and the Skull Kings in line. He’s the head honcho, alright?”

“Maybe he makes you come, but that doesn’t change who he is,” Bones said.

Spending all this time with Cato just made everything complicated. The idea of stabbing him in the back made me sick to my stomach. I didn’t love him, but I certainly cared about him. He spent all his time looking over his shoulder, unable to trust anyone, but it seemed like he trusted me. I didn’t want to throw that away, turn him into a more bitter man. “I think I’m going to ask for his help instead.”

All Bones did was shake his head. “When he tortures you, you better not mention my name.”

“He will torture you, Siena,” Landon said. “And he will kill you. He’s nice to you now because you’re fucking him, but the second he realizes this was all a trick, he’s gonna lose his shit. I’m serious.”

“He’s right,” Bones said. “I understand what you’re doing, but it won’t work. Even if the guy were in love with you, he would still beat you to death then snap your neck. He won’t go easy on you.”

“If you want to save Father, you have to stick with the plan,” Landon said. “There is no other way. But if you think you can’t pull that off, there’s still time to change your mind. Stop seeing him and just abandon this.”

I didn’t want to stop seeing him. And I didn’t want to abandon my father.

“What are you going to do?” Landon pressed. “We’re running out of time, Siena. I’m surprised Damien has given you a full month to figure this out.”

“I can’t trick Cato Marino in a day, alright?” I snapped. “Even when he comes to my house, he brings fifty armed men with him. He’s never alone. He’s too smart.”

“Then you need to get him alone somehow,” Landon said. “Tell him you want to bring him to Mother’s grave—but you don’t want armed soldiers with you.”

I made a disgusted face. “That’s terrible. I can’t do that.”

“Her anniversary is coming up. It would be the perfect cover, especially if he checks in to it.” Landon held his glass but didn’t take a drink.

Bones was silent, his eyes shifting back and forth between us.

I already felt like shit for betraying Cato, but I would feel even worse using my mother’s death as a ploy. This was not the person I wanted to be. Even with my father’s life on the line, I still felt like an evil person.

“Siena,” Landon pressed. “What’s it gonna be?”

I only had one parent left because the other had been murdered. I didn’t want to lose my father in the same way. Family came first, and I knew Cato would do the same to me if the situation were reversed. “I’ll do it…”

When I got home, I called Damien.

“Hey, sweetheart.” His obnoxious voice boomed through the phone. “I missed you.”

I ignored everything he said. “Don’t stop by my house anymore. Cato comes and goes randomly, and he brings his whole army with him.”

“Yes, I noticed that. You must be damn good in the sack.”

Cato was the talented one.

“He hasn’t been seen with another woman since. That’s pretty impressive.”

The guilt fried my stomach again, but this time, I thought I might throw up.

“But what’s not impressive is how long it’s taken you to get your shit together. We’ve given you over a month. We’re tired of waiting.”

This was such a nightmare. I thought turning my back on my family protected me from the corruption and violence, but I would forever be anchored to the underworld because of my blood. “I have an idea. I’m gonna ask him to visit my mother’s grave with me next week—alone. That’s when we’ll do it.”

Damien paused for a long time. “That’s an excellent idea, Siena. Micah will be pleased. You bring him there alone, and we’ll take care of the rest.”

“And my father?” I stopped my voice from shaking, but the emotion was too powerful. I hated to think about the way he was being treated in that hellhole.