Thoroughly overwhelmed, I didn’t know what to say when Anoushka slurped her lollipop and stared me down. When I stared right back at her, she looked me over and said, “You look like you’ve got toxic pussy.” Um, what? “One lick and he’s tripping balls.” The lollipop stick stuck out of the side of her mouth. “Am I right, Tor?”

Tor’s blunt response was, “Shut the fuck up or I’ll come over there and staple your fucking mouth closed, Noush.”

Hers was a wicked, “I knew it.”

Hell. Was it always like this? No wonder Tor was so tired after dealing with these people.

Cat chimed in, then Arthur did too, and the four of them began to speak over the top of each other until the echo of clicking heels sounded and when I turned towards it, I saw her. My sister entered the space wearing a sly smile. She glanced around the table and only when she saw me, did she falter.

My heart squeezed. She looked every bit the part in her feminine tailored suit, but her features looked worn and no amount of concealer could hide the dark circles under her eyes.

The others quieted down. Arthur seemed to noticed the pause in Vincenza’s step. He grinned, rocking back in his seat. “Family reunion, Vero?”

Vincenza did not take her eyes off of me as she approached. Her cool manner matched that of her voice. “Looks like it.” When she sat in the chair my freedom rewarded her, she looked me right in the eye and said, “Hello, Vicky. You look well.”

I felt a lot right then and it was difficult to put a cap on it, but I felt Tor’s hand on my shoulder and the tumbling in my gut slowed, then stopped. My equally unruffled, “Enza. So do you,” must have surprised her because her brows rose and when she smiled, it was almost mocking.

And then, silence. We were caught in a stare off when more footsteps approached in the multiples. When Tor squeezed my shoulder, I blinked, then focused on the new arrivals. And seriously wished I hadn’t.

My breath caught and hairs on my arms stood. Because the five men who settled in haphazardly, taking up space at the head of the table?

They were terrifying.

The Disciples, as they called themselves, were seated now. Each set of eyes I met, met my own right back.

Just as Ettore had feared… they noticed me.

All of them tall and muscular yet so different in appearance and manner.