“Oh, please,” Bennett said, pointing to the heads. “Collectively, those three didn’t have the brains of a quarter-pounder with cheese. They would have never acted on their own, and we both know it.”

Napoleon’s eyes turned to slits. “You have no proof.”

“You’re right, I don’t,” Bennett said, tossing the empty bag aside. “But what I do have is the council’s blessing to protect my little corner of the world from you and your underlings. If you’d like to continue to send them into my area to hunt, feel free, but be warned, they’ll be returned to you in pieces.”

“I’ve had enough of this,” Ivan roared, pulling a long-bladed dagger from his belt. “Bitch, the only thing around here that’s going to be in pieces is you.”

Bennett’s grip on the handle of the sword, still casually resting on her shoulder, tightened. “Napoleon, you’d best prevail upon dear Ivan here to back off, or I’ll take his head, and then I’ll take all those belonging to your fornicating flock out front, and you know I can do it.”

Napoleon swallowed hard, his eyes riveted on Bennett’s sword as he placed his hand on Ivan’s arm. “Now, now, Ivan. Calm down. We’re just having a little misunderstanding.”

“The only misunderstanding is you believing that you could kill me so easily,” Bennett said, taking a step closer. “And don’t deny you tried. Your people wouldn’t have been hunting in Back Bay if they thought I was alive, and that was a mistake, Napoleon. You thought you were free and clear to have your minions ravage my city, and they paid the price and they will continue to do so. Unless you knock this shit off, Napoleon, you’re going to be left with no one to rule.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, it’s a bloody fact,” Bennett shouted. “Napoleon, I’m tired of this. Everyone is tired of this. You’re never going to be like me, and since you continually act like an insolent dolt, I doubt you’ll ever get your father’s chair either. So, do us all a favor and cut your losses. Let us live our lives in peace. Let us enjoy our businesses and our cities without fear of having to defend them against one of our own. It’s not what we’re about.”

“How would you know? You’re nothing but a freak of nature. You’re not one of us.”