Fratelli: Eternal Bloodlines (The Vampire Cartel #2)

23. The Reckoning

Chapter 23

The Reckoning

T he Pink Pussy - Las Vegas, Nevada

April 17, 2018

(4 Days Before Death)

The three brothers had finally compromised on a meeting location devoid of their consiglieri. They left the Bellagio for the more secure Palazzo Tower. Lucio seemed overly agreeable to the idea. It served him well to keep his brothers away from his lady love, which worried Sebastiano. Despite respecting his older brother as their leader, every warning from their father about the “chosen” one and her potential to destroy and divide the family seemed to be coming true.

The three waited in tense silence inside their renovated meeting space at the top of the Palazzo. A servant offered herself to Sebastiano, who drank from her wrist until she went weak in the knees. All the while, he watched Lucio. After dismissing her, he licked his lips clean. “Not hungry, brother?”

Lucio looked up briefly before averting his gaze.

Domencio’s phone pinged. He reached into his pocket and stared at the screen with growing concern.

“What is it?” Lucio asked.

“Phoenix is here. He sent a message to the Fratelli,” said Domencio.

“And?” Sebastiano prompted.

“Check your phones,” Domencio said, all the while he glared at Lucio.

Lucio sighed and pulled out his phone. Just as he did, Tristan’s urgent message came through telepathically: GUARDIAN. SHE IS A GUARDIAN, BOSS!

Lucio frowned. He glanced at his brothers before reading Phoenix’s message. Phoenix was on his way to the Bellagio to pick up Raven and secure the hotel before they would go out and collect the Guardian from Shakespeare’s club. They had two Guardians—Darkness and Light had come to Vegas for the sisters.

“Did you know this?” Sebastiano demanded.

“No. She arrived during the chaos. I hadn’t—” Lucio stammered.

“Unbelievable!” Domencio exploded, throwing his phone on the desk. “First, we have the weapon sent by Julia Brown to kill us all, and now we have Guardians!”

“Calm down,” Sebastiano urged. “Guardians are delicious.”

“How the fuck would you know? NO! If you and Marcello had listened to me, we could have dealt with Lucio long ago,” said Domencio.

Lucio narrowed his eyes. “You could’ve tried. Don’t forget, brother, you’ve made several attempts and always failed. In fact, we should just call you ‘He Who Loses’ from now on. The name suits you better.”

Domencio snarled and bared his fangs.

“Stop the bullshit,” Sebastiano said. “Domencio, calm yourself. You were in the room with the bitch, and you didn’t know what the fuck she was.”

“Damn it!” Sebastiano snarled. He slammed his fist on the table. “It’s time, Lucio. We go to Father. It’s done. No more of this cat-and-mouse shit. You have lost control.”

Lucio couldn’t object. All plans were done. There would be no compromise, no exploring a solution to Julia Brown’s existence. He sent a telepathic message to Tristan: RENO.

Tristan received Lucio’s message loud and clear. He looked up to see his brother in the order, Phoenix, walk through the casino. Raven leaned against a wall, straightened up and followed Phoenix, who turned left walked toward the high rollers room. Tristan trailed behind. They navigated through the players unnoticed, entering a back room reserved for VIPs.

Phoenix paced the room. “Have you met her?”

“We were both in the same room with her just an hour ago,” said Raven.

“And?” Phoenix stopped.

“We didn’t know,” Raven admitted.

“I knew,” said Tristan.

Phoenix narrowed his eyes on the consiglieri.

“The fuck you did. Liar,” Raven spat.

“My capu, Lamont, was seized by her. She made him bring her and Dolly’s brother to the suite. We both smelled her. Who the fuck else would she be? Phoenix has been teaching us about the ancient ones. Warning us about Guardians since we were made.”

“They’re our mates?” Raven asked.

“We wish,” Phoenix said. “More like our assassins. I had to put things in place. I’ve located the second one. She’s at the Pink Pussy.”

Tristan frowned. “Why?”

“Sophie and Shakespeare. The Guardians think we don’t know they’re here. I’ve prepared you for this. Vittorio feared this could be an outcome from Julia Brown. Now we know the old fucker isn’t crazy. He was right.”

“Does Marcello know?” Raven asked.

“He does now,” Phoenix replied.

“We need to tell the brothers,” Tristan said, but he had already sent the message to Lucio. He wasn’t entirely sure, but he needed to stay cool to get close to Charmaine again. With Phoenix involved, controlling Lucio and saving Dolly would be even harder.

Lucio replied: RENO

Tristan shook his head. Reno wouldn’t work. They needed another plan. The wolves weren’t ready and the compound still needed some things in place.

“Cat got your tongue?” Phoenix asked Tristan. “What is it?”

Tristan covered. Phoenix couldn’t read his thoughts when he shared them with his Master, but nothing escaped Phoenix’s notice. “Shakespeare is a loose cannon. I sought revenge, and now he’s on the warpath. Sophie is in his line of fire. The club has a big night tonight, and if the Guardian is there, then things could go wrong.”

“Then let’s roll and pick her up,” Raven said.

“No. Not that way. We need containment first. We must get to the Guardians and make sure they’re separated. Tristan, lure the one above to you. Raven and I will set up containment for them both, then we’ll go for the other. Have they started the work Marcello requested for the Chosen?” Phoenix asked.

Tristan nodded. “The vaults are impenetrable, and your team has added the equipment.”

“Then why delay. Let’s head to the Pussy and scoop her up. Bring back our mouse,” Raven said.

Phoenix rolled his eyes. “You have learned nothing. Tristan don’t disappoint me. We are ahead of schedule. Get the Guardian and take her in. Wait for our return.”

“I understand. I can handle it.”

Lucio’s gaze burned with pure hatred as he locked eyes with Domencio. He hadn’t thought it possible to loathe his brother more than he already did, but now the fury inside him was a wildfire, consuming any shred of restraint. Risking Dolly and Darlene’s lives— their lives—out of petty jealousy? It was unforgivable. Domencio had always played at war, striking from the shadows, as he tried to sabotage Lucio with his childish schemes. But this? This crossed a line.

Lucio’s hands curled into fists, his nails bit into his palms. He wanted nothing more than to tear out Domencio’s throat for the chaos he’d caused. This wasn’t a game anymore. Before it was over, Domencio would pay—he’d make sure of that.

“I suggest you feed. Both of you.” Sebastiano’s calm voice cut through the tension, though the warning in his tone was unmistakable. “We have Guardians now. Everything has changed.”

Domencio shot a murderous glare at their elder brother before storming out of the room, his footsteps echoed through the stone halls.

A servant quietly approached, offering Lucio a goblet that brimmed with fresh blood. He took it, and focused on the warmth sliding down his throat, but his mind was far from settled. Every sip reminded him of what he had to lose—what Domencio had put in jeopardy. His beloved, Dolly, was out there. Separated from him, vulnerable, and it twisted his insides not knowing if he would survive the inquisition of the coven to keep her safe. His only allies now were Tristan and a fragile, desperate plan that barely passed for hope in Reno.

But there was something else. Despite the looming dread his brothers harbored over the arrival of the Guardian, Lucio found a sliver of comfort in it. The Guardian’s presence was a game-changer. Charmaine could protect them while he was trapped here, powerless to act. He just had to bide his time. He would rejoin them as soon as he could.

And when he did, he would settle things with Domencio once and for all.