Ruthless Heart

NERO

“That bitch didn’t seeit coming. Did you hear how she begged?”

Chase is crowing, talking about his big win busting Lily, but I barely hear a word. All I can do is stare at those photos. Her lies right there in front of me in black and white.

I trusted her. I loved her.

And yet again, I was so distracted buried deep in her wet cunt that I didn’t see her betrayal coming.

History fucking repeating, all over again.

How could I have been so blind?

“Fuck, we don’t know what she’s already told them,” Chase says, pacing back and forth. “What has she seen?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.” I try to keep a grip, even as loathing runs hot in my veins. Demanding answers.

Demanding violence.

“You sure about that?” Chase pushes back. “She must have something to offer them. She’s been in your apartment, who knows if she’s been listening in, copying documents, fuck, going through your shit at night?”

“I don’t keep anything there,” I growl, so close to losing it, I have my fists clenched.

“Still, we need to take care of this, now. You’ve got to—”

“Silence!” I roar, sweeping the desk clean. A computer and files clatter to the floor, glasses smash, but it’s not enough.

I want to tear the whole fucking world down.

Chase takes a step back.

“I’m on your side, man. But she’s got to go,” he says stubbornly. “Permanently. You need to end her. Make an example. Otherwise…”

He doesn’t need to say it. Otherwise, I’ll have no damn authority left in this place. I’ll be seen as a soft touch. The cunt-struck fool who brought the organization down for a good fuck.

My empire will crumble to the ground.

I have no choice.

“I’ll deal with it,” I swear, heading for the door.

“Good.” Chase nods. “Because I’m guessing Roman has already heard the news. That means every Barretti man in the city will be coming for her.”

My father.

The thought alone is enough to send me striding straight past Lily’s jail cell. She can wait right there. But my father? If what Chase says is true, I need to deal with him.

Now.

I collect my car,and hit the highway, taking the familiar route up to the low-security prison he’s been living in for the last ten years.

The great Roman Barretti. He’s been a shadow looming over my life for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, he was training me to be his heir, always giving me advice and instruction. Reminding me to be ruthless above all things. Even when he got sent down, and I took over, his presence still made himself known. Those first years, he continued running everything from his cell; I was pretty much just his mouthpiece. But as time passed, I’ve taken the reins.

His ways are the old ways, and I’m looking to the future now. That’s what this real estate deal is all about. Not that he knows my plans. He wouldn’t understand the direction I’m trying to steer us in, no matter how good the reward. Like Chase, he’s old-school. He only understands territory and product, blood and loyalty. So I’ve kept things to myself.

And I sure as hell never told him about Lily, either.

I arrive, and head in through security, going through the regular routine before I’m shown to a private meeting room. Perks? Yeah, we have this place locked down. My father’s in a single, cushy cell, with a flat-screen TV and a guard on our payroll bringing him takeout whenever he wants.