Wicked Liar (Dark Syndicate 3)

That problem is not one that will be going away anytime soon.As long as the Syndicate exists and it’s out of the enemy's control, we will always have trouble.We will always have to watch our backs because they’ll be lying in wait for the next chance to take control.

I’m very protective of my father’s vision and I know he wanted us to be part of the Syndicate, continuing the legacy of our forefathers.I’m not sure, though, he knew just how much danger we’d all be in because of it.

I grab the keys for my motorcycle and head out.

It’s showtime.

* * *

People do a double-take when they see me stroll into D’Agostinos Inc. They stare like they’ve just seen a ghost.

I tried to get here as early as possible to avoid the fuss.I greet those who talk to me like it was just yesterday we saw each other and try to keep any discussion to a minimum.

Thankfully, I’m early enough to avoid the bulk of the crowd and I’m able to make my way up to Massimo’s office without drawing too much attention.

Each person I speak to has that look of awe and curiosity, making me wonder how much they knew in relation to my absence.I doubt anyone would have given full details on why I left.In a family like mine, however, there’s never a dull moment and in my world, there’s always some sort of scandal.To be fair, the greetings I received appeared genuine, which is probably the result of being part of a family run business with down-to-earth people.

D’Agostinos Inc is a multibillion-dollar oil company that my father built from the ground up.Pa got the idea to go into the oil business a few years before I turned eighteen.The summer after that was when things really took off.The idea was something well and truly legit and outside anything you’d expect from a crime family with roots in the Sicilian Mafia.This company here is my father’s legacy.

I step out of the elevator and walk down the corridor.Candace has the office at the end.A year before I left, she started working here.I don’t expect her to be here yet, but I hurry along to Massimo’s office just in case.This isn’t how I want her to see me.

Massimo’s door is never locked so when I get to his office, I just open it and walk right in.Anything he has of value is in the safe or locked away in the grand mahogany desk that’s sitting in the far corner of the room near the windows.

The smell of the old wood and polished leather reminds me of my father.This used to be his office. It took Massimo a year to move in here after my father’s death.We just kept it with all his stuff until the day he realized it would be easier to have access to everything he needed to be in charge of the company.

I make my way over to the floor to ceiling glass windows and look out at the surroundings while I wait.

On a Monday morning, we usually meet in here before we do anything else, but that might have changed for my brothers now that they’re husbands and fathers.Both major differences to me.I just turned thirty-one and I still feel like the kid.

I’ve missed a lot with my departure.Massimo was already married when I left and had been for close to two years.Tristan wasn’t even talking about a wedding, but I knew it was in the cards for him.

I’m pulled from my thoughts when I hear Massimo's and Tristan’s voices on the other side of the door.

“Tristan, that fucker doesn’t know how good he has it.If he wasn’t a family friend, I’d knock his teeth down his throat for wanting such a discount,” Massimo fumes.

At least he’s still as hot-tempered as he ever was.

“I keep telling you to get rid of his ass.It’s not like we need him. Threaten to give him the boot and you’ll see how fast he comes round to reality,” Tristan answers.

As the door handle turns, I tense, hoping it was a good idea to wait in here.

The door swings open and Massimo stops short, words, and movement gone when he sees me.Tristan wears the same expression when his gaze lands on me.

The two couldn’t look more alike.People used to think they were twins when they were kids.Now they both rivet their gaze to me, shock suffusing their faces.Shock and emotion from the deep worry they must have had for me.

Instantly, I feel more shame.They aren’t the kind of men to worry, but I gave them cause.We came as a unit. A team. Even before Andreas died, it was always us three.I don’t think either of them thought they’d have to ever worry about me because I was always there, always around, always reliable.Until I checked out.

“Hi,” I say first, swallowing hard.“I… got back last night.”

Both continue to stare at me, and I almost think coming here like this was a bad idea.But then Massimo steps forward.

He looks me over like he’s trying to figure out if I’m really here, then he makes his way over to me.Tristan hangs back.

I don’t know what I expect as I watch Massimo.He’s my eldest brother and tougher than nails.He’d sooner kick my ass from here to kingdom come for leaving before he would think of doing anything else.So, I don’t expect the hug he gives me.

“My God,” he breathes, and I feel worse.“Dominic… you’re back.”

He pulls away but keeps his gaze trained on me.