Deepest Cut

DEEPEST CUTMERCENARIES AND MAGICBOOK 4 ALESSA THORN Copyright © 2023 by ALESSA THORN All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Covers, Editing and Proofreading by Damoro Design TRIGGER WARNINGS Please note that ‘Deepest Cut’ is a M/M romance that contains graphic violence, swearing and sex scenes. It also contains mentions of past abuse and torture (off page). 1 Leo had been having panic attacks for as long as he could remember. When he was a boy and felt the telltale tingle at the back of his neck, he would find a small, dark space until he calmed down. His family was none the wiser, which was a good thing because if there was something the Colleonis didn't tolerate, it was weakness. Especially weakness that couldn't be trained or beaten out of them. These days, there were only three things that calmed Leo down and helped him refocus—hacking, killing, or kissing Dante Hill. Right now, with his brothers pointing guns at them and his mother standing in Kon's warehouse like she owned it, Leo was utterly fucked. He couldn't breathe. His chest was too tight. The lights were swirling around him. He could hear people talking, but nothing was sinking in. Gabriella Colleoni had finally come for him, and the Edgeworths were going to die because of him. Leo was numb as Dante moved him behind his broad bulk, shielding him from Gabriella's piercing golden gaze. Silas shifted to flank them in case of an attack. "You shot Leo and threw him away. He's my son now," Silas said, and Leo's entire world shifted. They are protecting me, Leo realized in awe. Even Altun was getting in between him and Gabriella. As touched as he was, Leo knew that his mother would never forget the insult. Leo needed the world to stop spinning. He lightly touched the back of Dante's shirt and instantly felt grounded. He had no right to touch Dante. Not when he had been planning on leaving the Edgeworths and Dante later that night. Leo had wanted one more dinner with them, but his mother had to wreck it, and that was exactly why he had intended to leave. "We need to talk about Serapis," Gabriella said. She was at the head of the table like she was in charge. Leo doubted she realized how many alphas were in the room and that none of them tolerated being bossed about. Athena was watching Gabriella like she was about to attack at the first sign of any sudden movement. "And what is it that you think you know about Serapis?" Altun asked with an amused expression she liked to use when she thought the other person was an idiot. "Will you all please sit down? If nothing else, we can be civil," Gabriella replied. They sat reluctantly. Dante positioned himself beside Leo, his body still angled a little to stay between him and Gabriella. The protective gesture made Leo's chest constrict. He didn't need protecting. Dante knew Leo could take care of himself. He was still doing it though because that was who Dante was. Under the table, Dante's pinkie finger reached over and hooked around Leo's. The slight contact, the comfort in the gesture, made Leo's head clear, and the panic finally receded. He grabbed his beer from the table and had a mouthful to wash away the bitter bile in the back of his throat. "Spit it out, Gabriella. We don't have all night, and my dinner is going cold," Athena said, crossing her arms. "The Colleonis have worked for Serapis for a long time," Gabriella replied. She didn't even have the decency to be embarrassed about it. "No shit. We found your name in Dee's organizer, so we know you're the Aurora's lapdog," Silas said and leaned back in his chair. "I don't see what your shady dealings have to do with coming in here and trying to take Leo." Gabriella's golden eyes narrowed. "Because Serapis has turned on us, and I believe it's because my son has been helping you take down his compatriots. If Leo returns with me, Serapis will back off." "And what proof do you have that Serapis has turned on you?" Kon asked. "The businesses are being attacked," Leo said softly. "That's what Dario said in Prague. That someone is stealing money. I told him I would look into it." "You can do that from the safety of our home," Gabriella said. "We must stop this argument between us and come together again for the good of the family." "You mean for the good of your bank account?" Leo replied, anger creeping through his words. "This isn't about me. It's about your bottom line." Gabriella's lips pursed together. "We can argue about this later when we don't have an audience, Leonardo." "When we go home? I am home." Gabriella laughed coldly. "You think these mercenaries will be loyal to you? They are but a shadow of what the Colleonis are. You found a cheap substitute for us here. Nothing more." "Wow. Is she always like this?" Dante asked Leo with a lazy grin. "Pretty much," Leo replied. "I'm beginning to see why you left." Gabriella turned to Dante with a look of disgust on her face. "You have no right to judge me. You are a bed warmer, a pleasant distraction for my son while he's running from his duties. Nothing more." Dante laughed. "His duty to marry some chick he doesn't want to? Hate to be the one to break it to you, Ms. Colleoni, but Leo likes dick. Lots and lots of dick." Leo cast his eyes to heaven and prayed to be struck by lightning. "I think we are venturing off the subject," Altun interrupted. "Gabriella, you're in my city, and