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“Zane Maverick, alive and kicking,” a deep, velvety, baritone voice breaks into the conversation, stopping us in our tracks. “A sight I didn’t think I’d live to see.”

I see Zane’s face illuminate brightly, and he turns to face the culprit. We all do actually and I’m relieved to see it’s Billy – aka Zane’s former partner – standing before us with my father beside him. Immediately, the two men are hugging a welcome to one another, obviously having missed each other.

“It’s been too long, Maverick,” Billy says, releasing him to step back. “We all miss you so much at the precinct. We lost a fucking brilliant detective the day you just decided to take off.”

“I told you I wasn’t coming back, so don’t try the guilt trip,” Zane comments, trying not to come off as too harsh. “This is where I’m meant to be.”

“So, he’s legit,” Giovanni asks, squashing the moment. “I mean, he has literally quit his career to be one of us, yeah?”

“Yeah, he has,” Billy grounds out, bristling a little. I find it all too amusing that he’s clearly still not much of a fan of Giovanni’s. “He handed his resignation in just before he was meant to come back after the shooting, and he practically took off. We tried to get him back, but he was off the grid and then the next I’m hearing is from Sal saying my partner keeps turning up begging for a shot at this life. I told him he was stupid, but apparently, Maverick had other things to fight for before he came back.”

“Still do,” Zane considers, his eyes flicking to me. “That’s another life now, Billy. I mean, one day I might join you guys and be an informant, but for now, I need to prove myself to Salvatore, here.”

“Oh, you’re well on your way to that,” my father comments proudly. “If you can win some of the guys over here then you’re well on your way to finishing up a trial period.”

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Giovanni sneers, scowling at our father for that comment.

“Shut up,” Enzo comments, stepping forward as an ally to Zane. “Costello is the man running this poker night. You win him over and you can thank your lucky stars. He’s not a friendly man at the best of times, but we’ve all shown our loyalty and willingness that he can’t fault the Dio Lavoro.”

“So, don’t go screwing with that,” Giovanni snarls from beside Zane. “Still waiting for you to make one wrong move, so we can finally get rid of you.”

“You know, Giovanni, your attitude stinks for a guy with the world at his feet. You think because I’m a cop I’m going back as a snitch and that I’m not worthy of your family’s time. Well, maybe I’m not worth it, but I am worth a fucking shot that it doesn’t need to be a genetic thing to run with the wolves.” Zane is suddenly up in Giovanni’s face, his face reddening, his shoulders squared. “You’ll be shocked at the things I’ll be willing to do in order to get what I want. I learned long ago that people are
expendable
.”

I see my father bristle at the emphasis Zane applies to that final word, and as he looks at me, I remain cool and calm. I can’t let him know that Zane knows
everything
that happened months ago. I watch the display of testosterone magnify and continue to ignore my father’s intense glare on me.

“We’re not the only ones expendable, you fucker. I could slice you open in so many ways you wouldn’t have time to cry your way to your death like you did after the shooting.” Giovanni laughs, chortling alongside his mocking attitude. “Oh, what I’d give to watch you bleed out slowly.”

“Back at ya, Giovanni.” Zane’s voice is becoming a taut growl, venom seeping with every word. “I know you hate me, but not as much as I hate you because believe me, I see no redeemable attributes in you. But I’m not here to even entertain you.”

“We all know you’re only here for Amelia,” Giovanni spits, hissing my name as if it burns to say.

“So, what if I am?” Zane asks, moving closer to Giovanni, deliberately occupying his personal space. “My dedication to the Dio Lavoro comes first. I just hope once I’ve proven myself, I’ll be allowed to give your sister a life worth living within this family. But at least I’ll sacrifice my life for those I love, but you, Giovanni, only love yourself and that’s a sorry existence to be living.”

Giovanni scoffs, clearly in disagreement. “You think you know everything there is to know about this family. You came in here acting like some hotshot and you really think you’ve got us all down, but you’re in for some huge surprises.” He then laughs manically, pushing Zane away to get him out of his face. “And I cannot wait for the day you turn around and see what monster you’ve become because you love a girl like my mess up of a baby sister. Trust me, it’s a day I’ll cherish forever, Maverick. Just you wait. One day, when it’s all too late, she’ll have ripped every piece of you away to make you into something you fucking aren’t and you’ll hate every single thing about her just like I do.”

He storms off after finalizing his summation, and I stand self-consciously cradling myself. If my own brother has the same thoughts I do where Zane is concerned, what’s to say Zane doesn’t stay awake at night thinking the same things?

“So,” Zane changes the conversation, reclaiming his mellowed, charming demeanor. “Who’s this Costello guy?”

Enzo is the first to point him out. “The guy in the grey pinstripe suit with the pink tie. Don’t mention family to him otherwise that will be an automatic death sentence for you.” Enzo gives a weak smile when Zane looks at him somewhat alarmed. “Costello’s family was killed in a planned home invasion some years ago. He never remarried, never got revenge, but one of our guys says he’s plotting to come down on those behind it big time, just when they least expect it. We were told it was the Valens, but apparently the evidence says otherwise.”

“The more blood and gore you talk, the more you’ll appeal to him,” Carlo chimes in, adding some additional information. “Just not when it’s to do with his family.”

“He wants bloodthirsty men, which is why he loves Giovanni,” Enzo adds, just as Giovanni comes back with a new drink.

“He used to love you, too,” Giovanni announces, crossing his arms over his chest. “Before you became such a sissy.”

“Fuck off, Gio!” Enzo roars back, unable to keep his irritation down. “Gloat about Carmello if you want, but Costello will eat that up. Carmello is one man of a few we all had suspicions was involved in the home invasion, so hearing that you attacked him will give you brownie points.”

“Hell, Zane, offer up how you killed our guard,” Carlo says, helping give Zane as many careful pointers are possible. “And whatever you do, do not bet less than five grand per round.”

“Yeah, otherwise you’ll be laughed out of the room,” my father interjects, shocking us all that he has some input into this conversation. I know it’s all for selfish reasons, but I appreciate it nonetheless. “I’ve given you a generous wage, use it. You’ll need to outshine all of my boys and especially my golden girl.”

“Yeah, Amelia’s a bit of a poker ace,” Enzo praises, shooting me a wicked smile. He taught me how to play my best at this game, but over the years, having come to parties like this, between a flirtatious nature and being able to keep a poker face at all times, I’m good to take the loot, especially when Giovanni plays to win. True, I don’t win always, but when I do, I love to make sure I rub it in Giovanni’s face.

“It’s all about knowing when to bluff,” I tell them, offering a sly smile. “But seriously, Zane, please say you’ve brought more than a measly few grand.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I have something much more valuable to offer than a couple of grand,” Zane comments, his voice twisted slightly with intent and I’m intrigued to know what. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, let’s just go play.”

“I’ll meet you down there,” my father announces, leaving us all as he heads toward the door where a few of the men have been coming and going all evening.

Everyone decides to follow, but apprehension rushes up my spine, forcing me to hesitate in joining what could potentially become a bloodthirsty game. As Enzo and Carlo walk off and Zane goes to join him, I know I have to say something. With Manuel not here and Lorenzo gone, my only concern is Zane.

“I don’t want you to give up your life for me,” I say, stopping him from trailing after the rest of the men. What Billy said has me recounting all the steps we’ve made. Zane’s sacrifices are going to be the death of me.

“I’m not,” he defies my worries, killing them all with a confident ooze. “I’m just merely taking a break from it until I have what I want... you.”

Again, my heart race slows before galloping into a melody of erratic beats, skipping one every now and then. He’s hell-bent and with every day – hell every minute – that he’s here, still loving me, I believe more than this will end the world.

“Now, let’s go play poker so I can treat you to something expensive with the money I’m about to steal from Giovanni as I ruin him at this game.” 

“Who said you’re winning it?” I ask, cocking my hip a little to place a hand on it. I decide to listen to better judgment and believe in everything Zane has to offer – tonight I have nothing to lose by doing so. “You’ve never played against me before.”

“Okay,” he begins, sarcasm taking him over, “I’ll be buying you something expensive with your money.”

I laugh loudly, so amused by his comment. “You haven’t played against me before, Maverick.”

“Sweetheart, I can see through all of your poker faces,” he muses, fixing me with an all-knowing glance.

“We’ll see,” I tell him and waltz off, deliberately applying attitude and sensuality into every step I take, but stop when I come to the top of the stairs. I hear all the men gleefully bantering, and I turn back to Zane. “You coming,
sweetheart
?” I tease, throwing his own nickname for me back.

When he races toward me, I retain the urge to smirk at how excited I feel with the thrill of the game. I remember this is a game, and I need my poker face to be the best it ever has. I can’t let Zane beat me at a game I’m known for slaughtering men at. I am a poker ace, a champ who has cleared many a men out of wads of cash – even my own brothers. Tonight, I want to destroy Giovanni’s ego a little and take a little too much from Zane. Let’s just hope the odds are on my side and luck loves me.

As I move into the room, I’m quick to pick up a glass of whiskey waiting on the bar right by the entrance. My senses are overpowered by stale smoke, fresh cigars, and the smell of piss as every guy tries to wage a war on who will win and come out the bigger guy. The room, as always, is dimly lit, smoke dances around the beams of light cascading from the tiny chandeliers hanging over the large poker table.

I catch sight of my father standing with Costello. The moment he catches me in the room, I see his eyes light up and he gives me a wicked grin. I cross the room to him, knowing that if I don’t, it will insult the man. I remind myself about hierarchies and how this life works – I might be royalty, but men like Costello sit with my father in the thrones of glory. I have to obey, praise, and kiss the fuck up to men like him.

“Roberto,” I greet him, putting a smile full of seduction on my lips. I then, once close enough, kiss his cheeks with a more passionate hello. Costello takes the moment to put his arm around me, keeping me close. “Not in front of my father, Roberto.” I push him off, looking at my father who – while looking infuriated – remains calm enough to allow Costello to at least show some manners.

“Spoilt sport,” he says and relinquishes his hold on me.

I fall away, stumbling a few steps until I hit someone. I turn and see Zane. He looks emblazoned with Costello and I know that show of manhandling did nothing to make Zane an enamored soul to a man he has to kiss the hand of. I brace myself with a fake exterior complete with grin and friendly nature.

“Roberto, this is-”

“Zane Maverick,” Costello interjects, finishing my sentence. He puts his arm out and moves me out of the way to stick out a grubby hand to introduce himself to Zane. “We’ve heard a lot about you, but I’ve been waiting to hear from the man himself for too long.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Zane welcomes, putting his hand into Costello’s and giving him a sharp, confident handshake.

Costello brims with delight at the grip he’s given.

“It’s good to finally meet a man who shakes hands like a man. Maverick, I’ve heard a lot about you... both good and bad, but with a handshake like that, I see you as a positive addition to our businesses.” He then smirks at him. “We’ll just have to see how you fair at a game of poker with some of the best players I’ll only ever deal with.” He drops his hand away and steps back, turning to face me. “Are we playing for keeps?” he asks me, his eyes darting from my face to indulge upon the sight of my ample breasts in my skintight dress. “Because I’d sure like to make you a bet you can’t decline.”

I clear my throat, choking down upon the lump forming. “It’s money and nothing else,” I counter, admonishing his advances as I feel the heat radiate from both Zane and my father. “You’ve been trying for years to get what you want from under my father’s name, but I’m fiercely loyal to him.”

Costello snorts with laughter.

“I know, I know,” I agree with him, not allowing him an opportunity to take advantage of my father’s standing. “My track record with my father isn’t stellar,” I comment, deliberately taking a step back to stand before my father. My lies are tinkering on the edge of my lips, waiting to be set free. “But we’ve worked through our issues and I know where my loyalties stand. Roberto, you think the Abbiati women want you, but you’d be sadly mistaken. We just like to get an arousal out of you.”