“Dominic is a fucking dirty rat who is currently living in the deep squalor of New York, waiting to pounce. The minute he does, I am going to kill him. Preferably painfully and slowly,” I grit out, making it known that my head is still firmly on my shoulders, and I know what needs to get done.

We sit in silence for a moment, and I decide to let him know about Leo. I have waited all week, wanting to make sure it wasn’t just a one off, but he continues to flourish, so there is no point hiding it from my brother anymore.

“Leo is talking,” I say calmly, even though I want to fist bump the air every time I think about it.

“What the fuck?” Sebastians says leaning back looking at me like I have grown a second head. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Leo has been talking. He is getting better and better every day. He and Annie fucking chat all day every day about God knows what shit. She got him talking. My girl got my son to fucking talk,” I tell him, bursting with pride and love for the two of them.

“When, how, what? That is amazing!” Sebastian clears his throat, overcome with emotion, just like I have been. “I need to see my godson. I want to hear his voice.”

“She is good for you, you know. I wasn’t sure you were ever going to open up to anyone after Angelina, but Annie is your match. I can see it. She is good for you and Leo. She is welcome into the family.” I drive in silent shock for a moment. We haven’t talked too much about Little Red and I, and although she has been living with me for the better part of a few months now, I thought I was keeping our activities and my feelings about her on the down-low. However, Sebastian’s approval and welcoming of her into the fold is a big deal, and I am grateful.

“Thank you, brother,” I reply after a moment, looking at him and nodding my head. He nods to me in return, and we refocus on our task for today.

“Now let’s get this slimy bastard so we can both go home and fuck our women. Dominic has made threats against us, against our families, and we need to fucking find him.” Sebastian, like the rest of us, is frustrated. The pressure on us continues to build each day that he can’t be found, the other families still asking questions.

“We need to work out what he is planning. We killed his best men and his brother. His attack on us is going to be brutal if we don’t get to him first,” Sebastian looks out the window at the passing shops as I drive us to Queens.