Vincent woke up with the sun in his face. He knew it wasn't time for him to get up since his alarm hadn't gone off, but there was no way he was going to fall back asleep with all the light in the room. With a groan, he rolled off his stomach and looked up at the ceiling of his bedroom. He had a rough night, barely got any sleep. He was exhausted when he came home- couldn't even lift an arm to close to blinds, but the moment he showered and got under the covers, his mind couldn't shut off. He was going to call Ryder over but he didn't want to disturb him since Ryder seemed to be in a bad mood yesterday. Vincent wondered what was wrong, maybe that's why he couldn't sleep. He knew his friend and nothing ruined his mood.

Vincent reluctantly got up from bed and grabbed his phone turning the alarm off before it annoyingly rang. He went straight to the bathroom and showered.

By the time he was done, the entire bathroom steamed up from the heat of the water. He swiped his hand across the mirror to see his reflection and quickly shaved the stubble off his jaw and neck. Raking his wet hair back, he walked out of the bathroom to his closet deciding on what to wear, which was fair to say the best time of the day. He picked out the dark-blue suit when there was a discreet knock on his door.

"Who is it?" he asked.

"Me-" the voice Vincent recognized came from the other side.

"Come in," he said as he laid his suit out on the bed.

The door opened and Ryder was on the other side. A raw strength clung to him as he stood confidently at the threshold. But he was always like that, nothing ever faltered him and he was just as dangerous as his twin brother. Ryder was a towering height, his broad shoulders were sturdy, his clothes cut perfectly to outline his trained physique, which he took great care of all the time. Dressed in a black suit, his dark hair was tousled and raked away from his face, it showed off those icy-blue eyes and structured face; sharp jaw, strong brows and straight nose. His skin golden-tanned from always being out in the sun and going on a run through the property- typically shirtless.

"You're in a suit?" Vincent questioned, since he knew that Ryder preferred jeans and shirt any day.

"That's what I came to tell you," Ryder stepped into the room and leaned on the dresser. "I'm with Gabriel today. Azura will join you."

Vincent's hand froze as he picked out a tie. "Any particular reason?" he asked.

"I don't know," he answered. "River told me last night."

Vincent picked the blue tie to go with the suit. "Okay," he said.

Ryder crossed his arm, standing square in front of the door now. "I don't know how you take such hot showers?" he remarked as he saw the steam coming out of the bathroom.

A smile tugged on Vincent's face. "I should ask how you take cold showers?" he retorted.

"It's refreshing and healthier," Ryder said.

Vincent rolled his eyes. "Of course," he said since he heard that a million times. He turned and faced him. "Are you going to leave or would you rather watch me put my suit on?"

"Just hurry up," Ryder said curtly.

"Wait," he stopped him from leaving and waited until Ryder turned fully back to meet his eyes. "Are you feeling better today?" he asked.

He frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Yesterday," he replied, "you weren't yourself."

"You were worried?" Ryder said.

Vincent raised a brow. "Do you even need to ask."

Ryder dropped his gaze and sighed. "I'm good," he said.

No, you're not, Vincent thought. "Okay," he responded for now.

Ryder left after shutting the door behind him.

He put on his suit wondering what Gabriel planned today that he needed River and Ryder, it was probably something dangerous considering his brother's habits. As he slipped his suit's jacket on, he realized that his big brother wasn't one to back away from risks. He faced them, that's what made him indestructible.

Vincent grabbed his phone sliding it into his pocket before he went down the stairs. Instantly, he smelled eggs and bacon triggering his own hunger. Crossing the foyer, he walked straight into the kitchen, which was a large space to fit his entire family here.

In the past, this kitchen used to be a place where they didn't like spending any time since it was never really safe when their father used to be here. Not anymore though, now it was the soul of the house. Everyone was found here looking for good food or company.

Vincent saw his younger sister sitting on the stool telling Bone to put more bacon on her sandwich.

Viola Centauri had more attitude in her little finger than most did in their whole body. She was sitting with a relaxed posture, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, her blonde hair pulled in a ponytail away from her face. He always found himself remembering their mother when he saw his sister, it was like staring into a mirror. However, others may smile at the thought of their parents. Not in this household. Vincent always hated remembering his parents, since they were the reason his siblings suffered.

Pushing those thoughts away, he went directly to the coffee pot. "Why don't you make your own sandwich if you're going to be fussy," he remarked seeing her rich green eyes.

"Why don't you brew your own coffee?" she remarked making him smile.

He came and sat with her. "Don't argue with your big brother," he chided.

"Big brother, my ass," she scoffed.

Bone placed a plate in front of Viola and Vincent. "Eat. Don't fight," he said.

Vincent smiled at him and gladly accepted the sandwich, because if anyone didn't know, anything cooked by Bone was perfection.

"Thanks, Bone," he said.

Bone turned back to the stove to cook up the next batch. He was a tall, lean man who was polite in his demeanour. Vincent had yet to see a day where Bone lost his temper, but that was to be expected since he was a former butler for a notorious gangster. Oh, did Vincent mention that there was another person in this house that had more attitude in their little finger than the whole damn world did.

"Bone, tell me you made coffee?" A voice they all recognized spoke over the sizzling bacon and crackling oil.

King Vitiello, a man more dangerous than most of the underworld combined. He never once lost a fight because he never let his enemy live to tell the tale. He killed anyone he encountered and was proud of it. His petrifying pheromones alone filled the room, the dark scent dominated the space and anyone in it.

Dressed in a charcoal-black pinstriped suit, his muscles stretched the expensive suit that tailored to him. His resolute but rebellious gaze that got him trouble so many times never yielded to anyone and neither did it now. He was a dangerous wolf and a scary man if ever made an enemy.

Although, Gabriel made sure to make King an ally rather than the enemy. Vincent knew that his brother needed King on his side to ensure complete power over the city, they just never knew how they'd gain his trust. Until, one day, even the ruthless killer had fallen in love.

Bone poured coffee in a cup and added just a splash of milk and sugar for King. "Here you are," he said.

King accepted the cup, his dark blue eyes flashed with contentment as soon as he tried the caffeine. "I'm exhausted," he said as he rubbed his neck that was covered in tattoos.

"It's the beginning of the day," said Viola.

King's eyes expressed his indifference. "And?" he said. "Just because the sun rose does not mean I do too."

Vincent chuckled. "Where's my brother?" he asked.

"Klaus is-"

"Here-" Their youngest brother appeared beside King with a dashing smile on his handsome face. Klaus was the sole reason King decided to change his ways and join Gabriel. Vincent believed that if it wasn't for Klaus, King would have never joined them and perhaps gone to the support the wrong side.

"Good morning, everyone," Klaus beamed, the light of his smile reached his emerald green eyes that lost their innocence a long time ago.

It was a dark truth that everyone in this entire pack knew. How Robert Centauri abused his youngest son out of spite and anger because his mate lost her life after giving birth to Klaus. Vincent never forgot nor did he forgive his parents for putting Klaus through that. He never understood how anyone could hurt their kids.

Klaus was the best of all of them, his heart honest and every part of him was kind. He had a smile that could light up a room and a kindness that was contagious. Klaus was part of the reason why Vincent chose to become a lawyer. After all the abuse his brother suffered, Vincent wanted to make sure that when they got rid of Robert Centauri that it was for good. He couldn't rely on anyone else but himself to ensure that. Taking everything Robert owned even cherished, he transferred it all under Gabriel's name, it was fair to say that Vincent enjoyed that a lot.

Klaus went straight to help Bone who put another batch of eggs on the stove. King, on the other hand, sat down by the window with his coffee. As Vincent finished off the sandwich and coffee, he wondered where Ryder went.

The front door opened abruptly and a black hound appeared beside a tall, elegant woman. Zoya walked into the kitchen with her dog River, which was the same name as her mate, it got confusing at times, especially since the dog and the man both stayed beside her all the time.

"Good morning, Zoya," Viola greeted first.

"Good morning," she answered with a radiant smile. She was stunning in all red today, her hair clipped up in a bun. She looked more than ready to conquer the day.

"Come here, River," Bone gestured to the dog, who followed the command easily since at the end of Bone's hand was bowl of freshly chopped meat. "Good boy." He patted his head and ruffled his thick fur.

"You spoil him, Bone," Zoya prompted as she took a seat across King and took the other half of his sandwich.

"I can't help it," Bone said as he watched the pup eat diligently, "he's too adorable."

Vincent was just about to take out his phone and text Ryder to see where he was. That man was not one to miss breakfast. But just when he was about to hit send, he sensed the rich fragrance of smoky wood and pine that consumed him like wildfire. Ryder appeared beside his twin brother who was just as formidable, a bit more mature from his eyes. Vincent always liked the bit of playfulness in Ryder's gaze, it was charming and undeniably hot. River went straight to Zoya and sat with her, they shared the last bit of the sandwich, but Klaus was quick to give each of them their own.

Ryder came and sat beside Vincent, but he faced River and the others, leaning his arms back on the counter.

"Coffee?" he asked him as he passed his own mug.

Ryder looked at the cup and then him. "Is there sugar?" Vincent nodded since he knew that he liked his coffee sweet. He took the cup and drank from it; his lips touched the spot where Vincent drank from. He didn't mean to stare but couldn't look away once he had. Those lips, that chiselled jaw leading to the corded neck, it was maddening.

Vincent ripped his gaze and wondered what the hell was going with him. Thankfully, he distracted himself with the conversation around him.

"Ender, are you heading out already?" Klaus asked.

Vincent looked up at the boy near the door who had started living with them for almost a year now. More than that, Klaus and King adopted him as their own. Vincent was glad they did. Ender was a smart, responsible kid despite his horrible past. River- the dog looked up from where he sat and sauntered over to the boy. He licked Ender's hand and was happy to see him and so was Ender.

"Yeah, I'm meeting up with Jaxx," he replied, his tone gentle as he played with the dog.

Klaus quickly wrapped food in a brown paper bag and went to him. "Share this with him," he said. "They're sandwiches."

Ender's green eyes mirrored gratitude. "I will," he said. "Thank you."

"I'll see you at school," Klaus said as he fixed the boy's stubborn black hair.

Ender nodded and walked out of the house with his school-bag and breakfast. The pup returned to his seat beside Zoya and River. By that time, another pup ran into the kitchen.

"Gideon, don't run!" Hailey yelled.

Viola was quick to catch her nephew off his feet. He giggled out of surprise when he was lifted off his little feet and into the air. Hailey rushed into the kitchen. She was a curvaceous woman with bright red hair who was lovely and kind, she was mated to his older brother and the beta of the pack Hunter Centauri. Vincent had no idea how Hailey dealt with Hunter since he was a lot scarier than most of the people here.

"He's quicker than me now that he's learnt to walk," she said.

"You mean run," remarked Klaus.

"He's jacked with Hunter's genes so Gideon's bound to be uncontrollable," added Ryder making them laugh.

"I heard that," Hunter said as he joined them. He stood at a colossal height which was intimidating and to add to that he was heavily muscled. But that was the requirement for the position he filled, he was the beta of this pack and that meant that if danger came lurking here, he was the first line of defence. Everyone was quite assured that whatever threatened them wouldn't stand a chance against Hunter, since he would throw them head first into a brick wall and ask questions later.

"Good morning," Sabrina said, as entered the kitchen dressed in a white dress that didn't hide the belly where her six-month old baby grew bigger and bigger by the day.

Hailey pulled out the chair beside her for Sabrina to take a seat. "Are you hungry?" she asked her.

"Very," she answered with a smile that showed her dimples and brightened her aqua-jade eyes.

Sabrina Sinclair, a famous supermodel who conquered the world with her beauty but she won this pack's heart with her fun spirit and compassion, and she was their alpha's mate. She was the only one who could handle Gabriel and the pressure that came with his title. She was now pregnant with their pup and all of them were eager to meet their niece or nephew- they still didn't know.

"You look stunning, Zoya," Sabrina said.

"Thanks," Zoya smiled, "I have a few clients to meet today so I thought I'd dress the part."

"Well, you don't look like a waddling penguin," said Sabrina making them laugh.

"Where's Gabriel?" asked Klaus.

"He's getting dressed," she answered.

Vincent looked down at his watch and saw that it was almost time for him to leave for work. He wondered when Azura would get here so they could leave together.

"I'll see you all later," he said as he got up from his seat. Everyone said goodbye to him and promised to meet later for dinner. He went to the front door and just opened it when the warm summer heat filled the space.

Right beyond the large white porch was the property Gabriel and the rest of them fought so hard to protect. Bright green fields ran for acres across all sides, circling the entire area were huge pine trees which were clustered together that it was hard to see through them. The sky was a vivid blue above them, no cloud in sight today. This land was their home, despite many dark years, Vincent would never trade this place for anything else.

"Where are you going?" Ryder asked. "Azura's not here."

"I have a morning meeting with my team," he said, as he looked down at his watch again, seeing the seconds turn into minutes. "If she's late, I'm leaving without her."

A disapproving look creased Ryder's face. "Fine, I'll drop you off," he said.

"I thought you had to go with Gabriel," Vincent said.

"You both work in the same building, remember?" he said. "River can bring Gabriel and I'll meet them-"

"But-"

Ryder stepped in front of him, his blue eyes shining like crystals under the sun, that dark cologne that exuded strength surrounded Vincent. "Do you want to be late or not?" he asked.

He found himself staring. Ryder went back into the house when Vincent didn't respond. He must be telling River what he was going to do. A few moments later, Ryder appeared again and gestured for them to get going. Vincent led them to his car and got in.

Ryder didn't fill the car with conversation, he focused on the road as he drove out of the property and onto the busy streets of Manhattan. Vincent leaned his head back and looked at his left side to his friend. He never really understood how they became friends so quickly when they were quite different. He still remembered the day Gabriel brought River and Ryder over to the pack territory and told them that they were his friends. Vincent didn't trust them at first, which was usually the case with rogue wolves. Rogues never protected anyone but themselves. However, Ryder and River weren't like that. They soon became Gabriel's most trusted enforcers, and soon enough, brothers.

Vincent and Ryder used to fight a lot as kids, but they also picked on everyone else too, and even though Ryder was older than him, he never felt the gap. He smiled at himself and looked out the other way. The streets full with traffic and people bustling to get to work. He ignored the rush and closed his eyes trying to remember his schedule for the day.

"Busy day?" Ryder said.

"What?" He turned his head and asked.

"Do you have busy schedule?" he repeated.

Vincent sighed. "Apart from the thirty deals that I have to write up and read. I also need to meet with our investors to renew their contracts with us," he explained. "I think some of our partners are hosting a party that I should attend for publicity, but I don't feel like it."

"Don't then," Ryder said.

"It's not that easy," he responded. "These are long trusted partners, I need to ensure that they stay partners."

Ryder leaned his arm on the steering wheel and gazed over at him. "I know you hate all of this," he said.

Vincent stiffened. He never told anyone in his family that he didn't like being a lawyer, he only ever confided in Ryder. "It doesn't matter what I hate or love," he said. "I do this for one reason."

"For Gabriel," Ryder answered.

Vincent gazed into his friend's honourable eyes. "For Gabriel," he muttered.

They arrived at the company and Ryder parked the car in their section which was meant for the family. Vincent got out and Ryder followed him into the building. All the employees filled the entire foyer and everyone had already started their day or getting to their stations now. They both went to the elevator and got off on the department he ran himself with diligence, because if anything went wrong, he was in charge to fix it.

Getting off the elevator, the secretaries at the front desk waved to him and he greeted them with a smile on his way through the hallway. Since they were close to the top floor, their view was the skyline and he preferred it that way. He went straight to his office to grab his things while Ryder waited at the door.

"My meetings are going to last until noon," he told him. "You can head off and meet Gabriel."

Ryder didn't seem bothered. "I'm going to stay until Azura gets here," he said.

Vincent grabbed his pile of files and met him at the door. "You're going to get bored," he said.

Ryder smirked boyishly. "Looking at your stupid face never gets boring," he said. "Now, hurry along, you don't want to keep everyone waiting."

"I'm not a kid," he remarked.

"But you're such good boy," Ryder jested.

"I literally hate you," he grumbled as he left and Ryder followed him to the boardroom- laughing the entire way.

Vincent pushed open the glass door and spotted his team of lawyers sitting around the large oak table. "Good morning, everyone," he said and they greeted him back.

Not wasting a single second more, he went right into what needed to be done this week. And since he chose this team, they didn't need many instructions and knew how to complete their tasks efficiently.

Just as Diana reviewed her contract with everyone, he caught Ryder talking to someone outside the room, since the entire wall was only glass, he could see clearly who it was. Nicky was at it again. She was labelled as the 'office flirt' and Vincent noticed that she always had her eye on Ryder. Leaning on the table with her hip, she was pretty in a black dress and brunette hair that was styled. It was obvious she liked him from the way she put her hair behind her ear or smiled at Ryder. He was surprised that Ryder hadn't hooked up with her yet. But that was inappropriate for the office, he didn't want to deal with the awkward aftermath if they had a fallout.

A sense of annoyance filled him when he saw Ryder smiling at her, he passed the table and opened the door. "Nicky," he called out, both of them looked his way. "Get me Adler's file from Dean," he said.

She stiffened from his tone. "Yes, sir," she ran off down the hall.

"Stop distracting my staff," he chided.

"I can't help that I'm hot," Ryder jested.

"I'm being serious, stop flirting with them," he said.

Ryder chuckled. "I wasn't," he remarked.

If Vincent could slam this glass door, he would. He returned to the table and got back to work.

After a few minutes, he saw Azura arrive and Ryder left without saying anything to him. The glass door opened and Azura entered the room.

"Did Ryder leave?" he asked although he already knew.

"Yup, he's with Gabriel," she answered and took a seat beside him with her cup of coffee.

Azura, an enforcer for their pack worked day and night to ensure their pack's safety. She was ruthless in a fight and her tough demeanour scared anyone who met her. Everyone in the office were a bit guarded with her sitting here, it was as if a panther sat in the chair and not a six-foot woman dressed in black leathers. She proudly wore a holster of three guns and two blades on her back, she had a leather jacket on but the evidence of weapons was clear. Everyone saw the outer shell of Azura, the tough killer who would do anything to stop a threat from achieving their motive. However, Vincent knew her as family, she showed more loyalty than sometimes blood ever could. Found at their doorstep years ago with no memory of who she was except her name, Gabriel took her in and helped her recover. She pledged her life to him since that night and Vincent never questioned her bond with them.

An hour or two went by as Vincent went over the last contract of the day. He was just about to tell everyone to take a short coffee break when something caught his eye in the Adler file. Matthew Adler was a partner of this company since their father's time. He was a trusted and respected partner, but his file wasn't matching the bills Diana and Joe financed today.

"Sir," Diana said. "Are you seeing this?" She placed the charts of his bill dating six months back. Money from shares of the company had been taken and put into a trust fund for charity.

"Charity," Joe said sceptically. "Matthew Adler never cared for charity."

Vincent knew that better than anyone since Matthew was a smart businessman but quite bitter and frankly selfish. He never cared for anyone other than himself and his family. Something wasn't right about this whole thing.

"Melissa, bring me all of Matthew's files," he said.

Melissa looked up from her laptop. "That's over thirty years of paperwork," she said.

"And?" he said.

The group in the room shared a look. "You got it, sir," she said and walked out of the room with Celia and Jonathan to help her.

"What are you looking to find?" Azura asked him.

"Hopefully nothing," he told her as he leaned back.

"And if you do find something," she said.

Vincent looked at Azura and then the guns strapped on her hips. She got the message loud and clear and even grinned like a hungry wolf ready to help him hunt. But it wasn't going to be easy, he needed to read through the files and make sure his suspicions were correct before he laid bait for their target.

They returned with the documents and now Vincent got work. His team already knew what they sought after and helped him reduce fraction of the work. This was exactly why he hired them.

By the time lunch passed and it was five-forty in the afternoon, they finished with the last file. All that Vincent suspected was true. For years, Matthew was laundering money and cashing cheques under charity names that this company funded. Vincent gave the man credit though, it was a smart strategy. He made millions like this and no one tracked it. However, Robert Centauri and his team were gone. Vincent wasn't an idiot, he ran this entire firm with a tight rein.

"Sir," Melissa called out. "I've tracked where Mr. Adler has been spending his money but in the last year, his biggest purchase was a house for three-million dollars outside of Manhattan."

"Is he home right now?" he asked.

"Er- I'm not sure," Melissa answered.

"I wasn't asking you, Mel," he said.

Everyone in the room turned their head towards the woman in the chair. She turned her phone over to live security camera footage of Matthew Adler in his three-million-dollar house. Vincent knew what needed to be done now and he'd be the one to do it.

He got up from his seat and raked his hair back. "You guys can head home for today. Thank you for your hard work," he said. Everyone cleared the room and left him standing with Azura.

"I'll bring the car to the front," she said.

"Wait," he looked at her grimly, "I need to tell Gabriel first."

Most of the employees were heading off since the shift had ended. They both walked past his office straight to the elevator and headed to the top floor where his big brother's office was located.

"Why are you tense?" Azura asked.

Vincent wasn't just tense, he was pissed at himself for letting such an amateur mistake pass him. He was a focused man and built a career that many couldn't dare to achieve. What allowed him to make this fucking mistake? he thought as the elevator doors pinged opened and he got off.

The massive white-marble lobby was spacious and clean, at the end of the hall were two large doors and beyond it was Gabriel's office. Passing the secretarial office, he saw Cassie hard at work on her computer, she smiled at him and didn't stop him from entering the office, which means that Gabriel must be done with the meetings and alone.

However, Vincent still knocked, he didn't want to disturb Gabriel regardless if he was alone or not. The door opened and it was River. Behind him, Vincent saw his brother standing by the tall windows that surrounded the enormous room. The city of Manhattan was spread right outside under their feet.

Standing in all white, Gabriel Centauri was a man who ran this company and this city with his power. He had a strong aura that dominated over everyone from the way he held himself with dignity and spoke only when needed. No one could question his authority over his empire or himself. The sheer determination and resilience put him where he was now; at the top. The strength radiated off of every fibre from his body explained why he was in charge. However, never mistakenly think that this cool-tempered man wasn't dangerous. Those golden eyes showed why people feared him in the shifter world and the corporate dominion.

Gabriel got off the phone when he saw Vincent enter the room. He immediately caught the tension in his younger brother and the ease in him left as well. He stood enormously tall and confidently, it was like this even when they were kids. Vincent admired his big brother because no one could handle the weight of this empire like he had. He not only managed the company from going bankrupt but also ran the entire pack, which could have easily been destroyed by enemies.

"From your expression, I can tell that you're not here to give me good news," Gabriel said, his tone deep and poised.

Vincent didn't bother sugar-coating it. "I was reviewing our company assets this morning when I came across Matthew Adler's file. Apart from false reports, he's been laundering money since Robert's time. He's disguised many false reports as charity funds and has used our name to swindle many people." He looked at Ryder who stood near his own brother and silently paid attention to them.

"To simply put it, Matthew stole from me," Gabriel remarked.

A chill ran down his body. "I'm sorry," Vincent said.

Gabriel's golden eyes hardened and he frowned. "Why are you sorry?" he asked.

"I should've known," he admitted. "This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't lost focus."

"V, look at me," Gabriel called out. He looked up at his brother's powerful gaze, that never faltered or fell, they never admitted to weakness because he never believed in it. "You are not at fault. That sonofabitch is, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, brother," responded Vincent.

"How do you want to handle this?" River asked Gabriel.

"Do you want him killed?" Azura asked idly. "I can hang him for this."

"I like that idea," added Ryder.

"You two always resort to violence," said Gabriel as he shook his head.

Ryder and Azura grinned at one another. "That's what makes us badass," she mumbled.

"We won't kill him," affirmed Gabriel. "He has a wife and two kids. I don't want to traumatize them nor break a family. Give him a warning and cut him off from this company."

"I'll go right now," said Vincent as he got to his feet.

"We should send someone else, Gabriel," Ryder said instantly. "It won't be safe confronting him."

"Sure-" said Gabriel.

"No-" interrupted Vincent, they all looked at him. "Matthew thought he could blindside me. So, I'm going to be the one who tells him it's over." He turned to leave but only made it to the door, when a hand stopped it from opening.

"You shouldn't do this," said Ryder. "Send someone else."

He shook his head and gazed into his friend's disapproving eyes. "This is my job," he told him.

"Don't worry, Ryder," Azura appeared beside them, "I'll bring your princess back safe and sound."

"Who do you think you're calling a princess?" Vincent astounded.

Azura chuckled. "See you later, guys," she waved behind her to the others and followed Vincent out the door, they bickered as they went.

They got in their car and he drove them to the address that Diana texted him. Traffic was hell but they finally reached their destination to a beautiful mansion that had acres of land surrounding all sides of it. The white house was perched on a slope of green grass that was perfectly trimmed. Vincent drove onto the driveway and felt a surge of vicious anger fill him. No one betrayed the Centauri's. No one.

He parked right outside the house and they got out of the car. They went up to the door and Azura hit the doorbell.

"Are we being civil or scary?" she asked.

"Civilly scary," he replied.

The door opened and it was Matthew Adler. No butler, he thought bitterly. The man was in his fifties, short and stocky with greyish black hair and pale blue eyes. One would see him and think he's a regular old man who lived his kids and respected his wife. Who would think he's a fucking fraud?

"Mr. Centauri," he sounded surprised. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Vincent smiled evenly, he knew well that his expression was reserved but had no hint of his real emotions. "Won't you invite us in?" he said.

Matthew hesitated when he saw Azura looming in the back with her silver eyes brimming with danger. "Er- of course," he said. "Welcome."

They both walked into the house that had a huge foyer made of marble and the entire house was exposed. Tall windows exposed the garden in the back and the swimming pool. Matthew led them to the room adjacent to the modern kitchen. Vincent took a seat on the lush white couch as Azura stood to his right side.

"This is a beautiful house," Vincent said as Matthew took a seat as well.

He smiled proudly and without shame. "I just purchased it," he said.

"My brother has great taste," Vincent remarked.

Matthew blinked with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"This house," Vincent said evenly, "it belongs to him since he paid for it."

Matthew paled in his seat, almost turning as white as the couch. "I don't know what you're talking about," he denied quickly.

"Since you purchased this house with his money consider your partnership at Centauri Enterprise bought out," Vincent said.

"How dare you," Matthew fumed, turning as red as a tomato. "I've been the longest partner by Robert's side."

"Robert is dead," Vincent alleged bitterly. "My brother is king and you played a dirty game, Matthew. The only reason Azura hasn't put a bullet in your head is because Gabriel cares about your wife and kids. He's not a cheat or a liar like you."

"You can't treat me like this," he fumed.

A surge of annoyance filled Vincent, he got up and closed the space between them, leaning down he glared at Matthew. The man's eyes were full of fear and Vincent's wolf fed off that holding it like it was tasty as fresh meat.

"I wouldn't lose your temper, Matthew," warned Vincent coldly. "Unlike Gabriel, I won't show restraint when throwing you in a coffin and burying you six feet deep, but just before that I will take all this back and ruin you forever."

"You won't kill me," Matthew stuttered out.

Vincent straightened, fixing his suit's jacket. "You're right, I won't," he said. "But she will." Azura smirked coldly, like a python ready to choke its prey and devour it whole. "I spared your life, Matthew. Never forget it."

"Y-yes," Matthew answered as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Enjoy your retirement Matthew and pray that the Centauri's don't come looking for you again," Vincent said sternly.

They walked themselves out of the house since Matthew Adler couldn't feel his legs.