Chapter 3 - The Brother’s Sin
That evening, the compound was suffocatingly tense.
Dante sat at the head of his mahogany war table in the subterranean levels of the estate. His underboss, Enzo, tossed a thick manila folder onto the polished wood.
"You were right, Boss," Enzo said grimly. "We pulled the security footage from the Sterling townhouse. It wasn't the Senator who put hands on her. It was Julian."
Dante opened the folder. Inside were photographs of Julian Sterling—handsome, arrogant, and rotten to the core. Enzo continued, "Julian runs the Senator’s underground gambling rings. He uses his father's political clout to keep the feds away. Word is, he has a nasty temper. He uses Aria as his punching bag whenever a deal goes south."
Dante stared at the photograph. The rage that had been simmering in his chest since his wedding night finally crystallized into absolute, icy focus.
"The treaty states we cannot initiate violence against the Sterling bloodline unless provoked," Dante said softly.
"If you kill Julian, the Senator will claim we broke the pact. It'll start a war with the Irish mob they employ," Enzo warned.
"I won't break the pact," Dante replied, closing the folder. "I’m going to make Julian break it. Start bleeding his gambling dens. Tip off the feds to his money laundering. Back him into a corner until he’s desperate enough to come after me. When he strikes first, he signs his own death warrant."
Upstairs, Aria was completely unaware of the war being plotted in her name. She was in the private gym, wrapping her hands in athletic tape. Sienna stood across from her, holding up focus mitts.
"Again," Sienna commanded.
Aria threw a punch. It was weak, hesitant.
"Don't punch the pad, Mrs. Rossi. Punch through it," Sienna instructed. "Imagine the face of the man who made you feel small. Now, hit it!"
Aria thought of Julian’s hands around her throat. She planted her feet, twisted her hips, and threw a vicious right hook. The crack echoed loudly in the gym.
"Better," a deep voice said from the doorway.
May you like
Aria spun around. Dante was leaning against the doorframe, his dark eyes tracking the flush on her cheeks. "Tomorrow night is the Mayor’s charity gala," he said. "Your brother will be there. Are you ready to look him in the eye?"
Aria stood taller, her chest heaving. "Only if I get to wear diamonds."
