The Devil I Don't Know (Brooklyn Kings, #1)

by L.K. Shaw

I wake covered in a sheen of sweat. Naked, I pad across the room and turn on the shower, knowing I’ll never be able to wash away the memories. Being back in this city does nothing but serve as a reminder of all I’ve lost. The cool water rains down over me. In a few short hours I’m meeting with the other families. Paulie mentioned it on the ride to my father’s house yesterday. I have been given one test of loyalty already. No doubt there will be many more to come. At some point before the wedding, I’ll also need to meet with our new ally, Donnelly. I step out of the shower, dry myself off, and dress in my tailored black suit with red pin-striped tie. As a kid, my father always told me that men who wear a perfectly fitted suit demonstrate power. He’s never worn anything else. I adopted his attire in my early twenties. Today, it is important that I show the others just how much power I have. I adjust my platinum-and-black cufflinks, tug my sleeves down, and take one last glance in the full-length mirror. It’s not for vanity’s sake, but rather a final look at the soon-to-be new ruler of an entire kingdom. The thing I’ve avoided for seven years. Pierce is waiting outside my room. “I spoke to Gregory Rossi last night. He texted me the listings for a couple places he thought you might be interested in. I set up an appointment to look at them this morning.”