Page 92 of Heartless Sinner

Cedric lowered his phone, which was impressive considering I was sure the damn thing was surgically attached to his hand at all times.

Even Emeri, who’d been quietly sitting in the corner, scribbling in his notebook, gave a single nod in agreement.

Enzo was right.

A presidency wasn’t forever.

But Mafia empires lasted for generations.

Enzo wasn’t finished. “Not to mention, you need them if you want to be sitting in the Oval Office someday.”

“Yeah, bro.” Cedric went back to scrolling. “If I become boss of the family, I’ll need you in the White House.” He finally looked up at me. “Think about how much power we’ll have together.”

“Hear, hear.” Cassian lifted his empty glass.

“Nothing says genuine friendship like political corruption,” I said in mock offense.

“It’d go both ways, fucker,” Cassian fired back. “If you don’t become president, I’ll still have your back.”

No one argued with that.

“If all else fails, join us,” Nico said. “You’d get away with a hell of a lot more.”

Cedric grimaced. “Can you imagine having to wait for Congress to approve all your decisions?”

Cassian shuddered. “Or pretend you have a conscience when at war with someone.”

“Technically, we have different kinds of wars,” Emeri pointed out. “We only kill fuckers who deserve it. No innocent blood on our hands.”

Again, all the guys nodded.

“Remember that.” Nico tapped the side of his head. “You always have a seat with us.”

As much as I wanted to believe them, none of them were in charge yet. They’d only become bosses or move up the ranks when the men above them stepped down or died.

If I joined the Mafia now, I’d have a position just above rats. I also didn’t take orders well enough to spend years kissing someone’s ring.

The door opened, and I stopped listening to whatever the fuck they were saying when Daphne walked in.

My body went hot, but I tried to blame that on the four pain pills I’d washed down earlier.

She scanned the room. I knew that move. I did the same thing every time I walked in here.

Looking for her.

When she found me, she stopped.

I tensed. Something was wrong. Her shoulders were drawn tight, her chin tucked low. She wouldn’t hold my stare.

She wore black leggings instead of one of those little skirts I liked seeing her in. Her zip-up sweater was pulled all the way to her throat.

“Daph!” Adelina waved a pizza slice in the air.

Daphne ducked her head and headed toward the girls.

“You ready for her Initiation?” Cedric asked me.

His grating-ass voice pulled me away from watching Daphne.