Page 1 of Beautiful Sinner

Chapter One

Matteo

Ihave known war for most of my life.

Growing up in a rough neighborhood, I had to deal with gang members wanting to recruit me. I had to deal with men placing a gun into my hand from a young age. And I had to deal with killing people before I was even old enough to legally drink.

I know what it’s like to fight for my life. To go into hiding because Bratva members are after you.

I am not a stranger to war and death and darkness.

Today is no exception.

Dante and I head out on a routine drug run. We’re here to check the guns he is having delivered into the New York. Guns can make us millions.

Dante Moretti, head of the Italian Mafia. He’s a powerful man in his own right and I’m his second in command.

Right now we need all the guns we can get because of Viktor Smirnov. He’s a Bratva man who wants us all dead for disrespecting him so many times. It has led to him stealing a lot of our gun shipments and Dante wants to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Which is why we’re here today. Can’t trust the middleman. We need to do this ourselves.

“Do you think Viktor will send someone else after these guns?” I ask as we get out of our car and head over to the large loading van. We’re on a road in the middle of bumfuck New York. It’s better to check the supplies here before it reaches the city. Not many eyes around here to get in our way.

But that’s also what makes coming here dangerous: no witnesses for the crimes that may be committed. It has made Viktor’s men bold. They think they can steal and kill our own men.

The only saving grace is that we have Finn Murphy back on our side. A hitman who’s chaotic and loves to kill, he used to make our lives hell when he sided with Viktor over a year ago now. But ever since he fell in love with Aria Romano, a woman whom Dante always saw as a daughter, he’s been loyal to us. He’s off stealing from one of Viktor’s drug shipments at the moment, which I know he’ll succeed at. He’s always been good at stealing stuff.

Today leaves just me and Dante. The less men we have with us the better. We can be more incognito about it. It does pose a risk though without many guards with us. If there’s an ambush waiting, we’re fucked.

“Viktor always sends someone,” Dante murmurs, rightening his watch. “Be on the lookout.”

Dante and I have been friends for years. I’m only a few years younger than him but he took me in when I was struggling to find my place in the world back when we were in our twenties. I’ve been his second in command ever since. He’s not someone I would ever betray. I know where my loyalties lie.

I take out my gun and keep it aimed at the ground but ready in case anyone starts shooting at us.

“My wife did not want me coming here today,” Dante tells me as we get closer to the van. The driver is waiting inside for his own safety.

“Nadia is just protective. She’s finally pregnant after you guys tried so hard. I know she just doesn’t want to lose you.”

Nadia Moretti, née Belov. She’s Anya Koslov’s sister, whom Dante kidnapped years ago now and ended up falling in love with her. It was when we were at war with Erik Koslov, powerful Bratva man who held a tight grip on New York. Now, Dante and Erik are business partners. I still think they hate each other a little bit despite working together for the past four years but I know they’ve come to appreciate each other.

I had to go into hiding for a few years when I killed Nadia and Anya’s father, Sergei. He had tried to kill Dante and I got in the way. Erik would have killed me at the time but since his partnership with Dante, I was able to come back home and work with Dante again, Erik by extension.

I have more power than I ever had.

The only thing I don’t have is love. I don’t have time to date. I’m too busy helping Dante take down Viktor, which hasn’t proved successful yet since he’s a hard man to take down. Stubborn and stoic. Viktor is not giving up without a fight.

Dante sighs. “Nadia is sweet. I understand her concerns but I have to do my job. We have to stop Viktor at some point. He’s making me bleed money.”

“At least we can count on Viktor not hurting Nadia. He’s not the type of man who would send anyone after her.”

“I know. But that doesn’t mean someone else won’t. One of Viktor’s men could go awol and hurt her. You’re lucky in a way, Matteo. You don’t have a girl to worry about.”

“I guess. Though, I am surprised you never tried to marry me to someone to make a power alliance with.”

Dante flashes me a side-eyed look. “Are you offering?”

“No. I just always thought that was curious. I think I’ve been mentally preparing myself for it if it ever comes.”

---