Thorton Gallardo POVThe moment I get the words out, Zandra immediately uncrosses her legs and tries to kick me in the groin. I’m prepared for it, could see the thought boiling behind those pretty blue eyes of hers. With one hand, I’m able to grab her by the knee and force her down. “Easy, princess,” I say lightly. “This doesn’t have to be hard. All you have to do is be a good little girl and—” She slams her head forward, nailing me with a perfectly placed head butt. Thankfully, the difference between our angles means she can’t put all her strength behind the move. Still, I’m forced to take a step back, growling as I check my nose. Thankfully, I’m not bleeding. A good thing, too, because I’d hate to ruin my favorite suit. “Touch me again and I’ll bite your fucking hands off!” she hisses, her plump upper lip curling into a sneer. I guess it’s true what they say—redheads really are fiery.Over the past few months, I’ve had my brothers watch her from afar. I’ve only seen her through vid

Thorton Gallardo POV “We move in tonight,” I inform my younger brothers. I drag the tip of my finger over the map splayed out over my desk, drawing everyone’s attention to one area in particular. “Take our men and start here in Milan up to Naples.” “We’re not starting in the Financial District?” Damien asks. He sits just off to the side in one of my office’s guest chairs. My brothers have gathered around my desk, so there isn’t enough room for him to squeeze in. “According to Roman’s intel, the Valderrama have a heavier presence there,” I explain. “It would be a mistake to face them head-on where their numbers are far greater than ours. Right now, we need to focus on getting a foothold—that’s all. We can work our way up from there.” “And what about—” Three sharp knocks at my door alert us of an unexpected visitor. In walks none other than Detective Gregor Rossi, a senior officer with the Italian Police Department and a massive thorn in my side. He smiles good-naturedly, the cor

Thor Gallardo POVFor the love of all that is good and holy—what the hell am I doing? I never should have kissed her, let alone twice. More importantly, I shouldn’t have let Zandra Valderrama get under my skin. It must be her superpower or something, because the moment I was trapped in her blue-eyed gaze, I was no longer myself. Logic and common sense toppled straight out of my head and catapulted themselves out of the window. It can’t happen again. I’ve got too much on my plate right now and I simply can’t afford the distraction—no matter how gorgeous and delicious that distraction might be. My entire focus should be on building up the Gallardo, not on the taste of Zandra’s lips and the sound of her languid moan ringing in my ear. Fuck. I trudge up the stairs to the ground floor and march straight across the depot. Several mechanics tip their heads out of respect as I pass, but I pay them no mind. Right now, I’m too fucking steamed. I’m convinced Zandra Valderrama must be a witch. Ho

Thorton POV “We’ve done it,” Leo informs me. “The entire southern district is ours.” I sit up, instantly alert. “Any resistance?” “No,” Roman says with a chuckle. “We had those Valderrama bitches running away with their tails between their legs.” “Excellent.” “Now what do we do, Boss?” Samuel asks, taking a seat in my office’s singular guest chair. He makes the thing look kiddie-size in contrast to his massive frame. I don’t even bother hiding my smirk as I pick up my phone. Everything’s going according to plan. “Now you leave the rest to me.” Going through the same process to contact Manfred Valderrama is much smoother this time than it was the last. I’m overflowing with confidence. I suspect news of our conquest has already reached the man. Now all that’s left to do is rub it in his face. He answers on the first tone and boy does he sound pissed. “Who do you think you are?” he seethes. “If I ever lay eyes on you—” “This is what’s going to happen,” I interject. “I now have

Thor Gallardo POV I move quickly, setting up meetings left, right, and center with Italy’s most notorious criminals. Thieves, smugglers, money launderers—the list is endless. It’s no small secret that the Valderrama has had a tight grip on all illicit activity in the country for the last two decades, raking in the lion’s share of profits. But now that I’ve made a big enough splash, everything’s about to change. The Valderrama are not without enemies, though many have been driven deep underground, biding their time. It took a little organization on my part, but in my experience, it’s who you know and not what you know that can give you a greater edge. “Why have you called us here?” Hakim asks, soaking his large feet beneath the water. “I’ll have you know I’m a very busy man.” “As am I,” adds Rustom, a man I’m convinced is made of nothing but bone. I sit on the edge of the wooden riser, breathing in the steam of the bathhouse. I chose this location for a particular reason, the firs