Page 57 of Shot For Mercy

My brothers all chuckle.

“What are you all doing here?” I ask my brothers.

“Can’t we want to spend time with our dearest brother?” Gio asks, and I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Did you come here to talk about your restaurant?” I ask him, and he rolls his eyes.

“Absolutely not.” He huffs. “Business stays at the office.”

“It never has before,” I tell him. “Cole and I were busy, you know. The polite thing to do is come back later.”

“Good thing we’re not polite,” Alessandro says, and this time it’s me rolling my eyes.

My brothers all flop onto the couch next to Cole, and it’s a wonder six grown men can fit on it. But I have an enormous couch for this specific reason. My brothers and I have always spent plenty of time together, and though I don’t admit it very often, I love it. We’re tight knit.

“Alright,” I tell them, defeated.

“I know what we can talk about,” Cole suddenly says, and I narrow my eyes at him. “I want to take the Russians’ house.”

Giovanni chuckles, and Alessandro narrows his eyes at Cole.

“I thought I said no business,” Gio says lightly.

Cole huffs. “This is important.”

“Go ahead, Cole,” Alessandro says with enthusiasm, and I chuckle. He lives for this shit. Work is all he’s ever cared about. He should really loosen up a little, maybe get some pussy. Or dick. I don’t know exactly which way he leans toward if I’m being honest. He’s never brought anyone home. Never even been in a relationship. “Tell us more.”

“In order to end this war, we need a new alliance,” Cole says, and my brothers all nod. “We need to get rid of the ones in charge right now.”

“We can agree with that,” Alessandro says, looking right at Cole. “And how do you suggest we do that?”

“We get rid of the Pakhan, Andrey, and Natasha.” All eyes swivel to me. All eyes except for Cole’s. No. He’s too busy watching my brothers watch my reaction. “What?” he asks.

“Oh, nothing,” Alessandro says. “I just don’t think Natasha should be part of it.”

“And why the fuck not?” Cole snaps.

“She’s innocent in all of this,” Giovanni says softly. Placatingly. “She won’t interfere.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Cole looks at me now, eyes narrowed on my face. But I remain stoic. Fort fucking Knox. “I’m sick of being kept in the dark, Emiliano. Tell me. Right fuckingnow.”

“Oooh.” Giovanni chuckles. “He called you Emiliano.”

My brothers chuckle again. Everyone except Alessandro. The fucker is so grumpy.

“There’s nothing to tell,” Alex says in my defense, even though we both know it’s not true. “She just shouldn’t be punished for her brother’s actions.”

“Why the hell do you all care?” Cole asks slowly. “It’s never been an issue before—ending everyone.”

There’s a collective silence.

“She’s not fair game, Cole,” I say through gritted teeth, getting irritated. He should be following directions, not defying me. “End of discussion.”

“Fine,” he snaps.

Cole gets up from the couch, going to our bedroom and slamming the door. I deflate, my shoulders lowering as I slump against the couch. I pinch the bridge of my nose, just to hear someone snickering. When I look up, it’s Giovanni, because of course it is.

“And I thought Alex was grumpy.” He grins. “You should check on him.”

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