Page 11 of Nicoli

“You’re not going,” Alexius calls after me.

“You and I both know we are.”

“And be careful while you’re stomping through the house like you’re the spawn of Satan. We’re having new art delivered.”

I give him a dismissive wave over my shoulder and stomp off…like I’m thespawn of Satanon a mission.

ChapterFour

NICOLI

If I had a nickel every time that woman pissed me off, I’d be the goddamn Trevi Fountain. The only difference would be I wouldn’t have good luck coming out of my ass, but rather a thousand fucks spitting out of my mouth.

It’s not even nine in the morning, and already I’m loosening my tie so I can breathe, unbuttoning my collar.

Goddamn, stubborn, infuriating woman, pissing me off first thing in the morning with the reckless notion that she’s going to a club on her birthday. I bet she’ll be dressed in a short, tight, red skirt that emphasizes her firm, round ass, with a backless blouse showing more skin than a club full of horny fuckers looking to get their dicks wet need to see. I can already imagine men drooling after her lush, red lips with the perfect Cupid’s bow, their thoughts filled with fantasies about kissing her. Touching her. Undressing her. Fucking her.

I’m going to kill someone.

And After Dark, of all places! Nope. No. Over my dead fucking body is she going to that place. I’d love to know how she’s even aware After Dark exists. It only opened a few weeks ago, and we’ve never even spoken about or mentioned it because we avoid anything and everything with the name Ferrero attached to it—with good reason. That’s also why I’m currently on my way to find Maximo, because when it comes to his sister, having him on my side always backs her into a corner she can’t come out of. And that’s where I want her right now…in a fucking corner.

The large pocket door that leads to the Dark Sovereign chamber is open, and I’m hoping to find Maximo there, but instead it’s my youngest brother sitting at the table, his expression pensive.

“Have you seen Maximo?” I bark.

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

“Why do you look more pathetic than usual?”

He snorts. “God, you’re an asshole.”

I walk in and across the burgundy carpet, highlighting the gold trimmings, then take my seat across from him. There are five black, button-tufted executive chairs at this table that represent the five men of this family. Alexius has the throne, his chair marked with the silver and gold symbol of the Dark Sovereign. Mine is on his right while Caelian flanks his left. Isaia and Maximo sit across from us, our ranks apparent for anyone who walks in here.

It used to be my father, Alexius and me, and our uncles—the Savelli brothers—who sat around this table. But after my father died and Alexius took over as leader of this family, Roberto tried everything to undermine and dethrone him. Roberto wanted to form alliances with others, expand the Dark Sovereign to members with the biggest bank accounts. Unfortunately for him, he underestimated our determination to keep the Dark Sovereign the way it has always been. A family-run empire.

The sun is high, casting rays past the magnolia-colored curtains draped to the sides of the windows.

“Seriously, this isn’t a fucking sunroom. Why are you in here?”

“I dunno.” He stares at Alexius’ seat. “It’s just hard some days.”

“What’s hard?”

“That I’m finally sitting here at this table, and he’s not here.” He shifts. “I guess it would have been kind of awesome if Dad was still here to see all his sons sit around the Dark Sovereign table.”

My little brother’s sentiments brush off on me, a pang of grief knocking at my chest. “Yeah. It would have been kind of awesome. He would have been proud.”

“And I think he would have loved that Maximo is a part of it now.”

“Father always saw Maximo as his son. There’s no doubt that Maximo was always meant to have a seat.”

“True. I have shit to do.” I stand. “If you see Maximo, tell him I need to speak to him.”

“About?”

“About his sister being a giant-sized pain in my ass.”

I hear Isaia chuckle as I stomp out of the Dark Sovereign chamber. After twenty minutes of searching the entire estate, dropping f-bombs like it’s a goddamn trend, I finally find Maximo in the driveway talking with the guards. Instantly, warning prickles the back of my scalp because why the fuck is he speaking with security? Do we have a problem? Because God knows, that’s the last thing I need right now…another fucking problem.

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