47

Eros

Helen arrives to take over with Cara. The two of them sit shoulder to shoulder in the living room drinking wine while Real Housewives shout at each other on the flat screen.

I find Lycus downstairs. "Situation," I bark at him. I'm on edge, itching to find my enemies, but Cara's words keep playing through my head. This is fake, it's fake, it'll never be more than what it is.

No matter what I want. No matter how I feel.

Several of my captains and soldiers stand at attention, looking grim.

"Cameras got the shooting," Lycus reports. "We have the plates and we're running them now."

"No need to wait for the results. It was the Italians." I look around and nobody argues. "Get a squad together. Reliable men, good men. I want you to lead them personally."

Lycus nods sharply. "Consider it done. What's the target?"

"Burn Conti's house to the fucking ground."

There's a long moment of silence. They stare at me, saying nothing, as the gravity of my orders falls on them.

For years, residential