Page 14 of Chaos & Corruption

“I’ll admit your uncle is definitely a trip, but he was just looking out for you. So, tell me, what’s the real reason.”

“Well, you know about my brother, but he’s not the only famous relative I have.” I pause and frown. “Had,” I correct. “My late grandfather was kind of a big deal.”

Turning back to the stairs, I start to climb them again.

“How so?” Alex asks from behind me.

I’m not ashamed of what my grandfather did. Sure he was a criminal, one who has done some pretty heinous things, but he was a husband and father too. He sacrificed himself for the greater good of his family and he paid dearly for his crimes.

Too dearly.

We reach the third landing and I glance at Alex.

“He was the mob boss of the Pastore Crime Family.”

I wait for shock to fill his eyes, but it never comes.

“You knew that?”

“After you walked off, Webber mentioned that.”

That doesn’t surprise me. Anyone who follows my brother, knows about my grandfather. In fact, my brother uses the Pastore family crest as his branding. Luca is a talented boxer, but a lot of the hype comes from him being the grandson of the late Victor Pastore.

People love the mafia. They think it’s some glamourous lifestyle. If you look up old newspaper articles from my grandpa’s death, you’ll see them report about the three flower cars that trailed his hearse and the line that wrapped around Torregrosso funeral home. You’ll find a list of who is who and what famed mobsters came to pay their respects, but they won’t mention how he died like a dog in solitary covered in his own feces.

“Victoria?”

Shaking the thought from my head, I focus back on Alex.

“Sorry,” I murmur, clearing my throat. “Anyway, my grandfather is the main reason I transferred here. Our criminal justice system is broken and Stonewall has the best pre-law program. If I want to make a difference, community college isn’t going to cut it.” I smile cheekily at him. “You’re not the only with goals.”

“Gorgeous and intelligent,” he deadpans.

“A fan?”

“I am now.”

“Maybe you’re not that much of a fuck after all.”

“Wanna find out?”

I shrug and turn back to the stairs. Glancing over my shoulder, I wink at him.

“Maybe.”

Five

Victoria Bianci

By the timewe reach my floor, I’ve forgotten all about Mila leaving me for dead at the bar. Okay, okay, so that’s a bit dramatic—but you get the point.

“Are you going to be okay?” Alex asks as I fit my key into the lock.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I may not be the lightweight boxer in the family, but I’ve got a move or two of my own,” I say, curling my bicep. “My dad taught me how to throw a punch before he taught me how to ride a bike.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

I giggle and turn back to him. Leaning against the door, I cross my arms against my chest.

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