Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
The buildings on Black Hollow Isle are Gothic in architecture, boasting turrets and stained-glass windows. The charcoal brick, offset by the Mediterranean Sea, might seem strange and intimidating to the regular tourist who looks out from the beaches of Sicily, but we’ve done it for a reason—to remind those who know of us that we’re always here, always watching.
Our folks were good to Jordan and me, always offering support and advice when it was needed, but since they’ve been gone, all I can think about is taking up the reins from where Dad left off.
His last will and testament was clear—never let go of your legacy. And I don’t intend to. But as my private jet lands and we taxi down the runway, I have a sinking feeling in my gut. I’m almost certain there’ll be another surprise from Dad now I’m nearing twenty-five.
The family business is import and export. Our allies and clients are Sicilian mafia, and when they call, we answer without question. But that’s not why I’ve travelled to the Italian mainland. I got a call from my father’s lawyer yesterday, requesting my presence at his office. Usually, I’d have him fly out to the island, but he said there was something I needed to collect.
He didn’t tell me what it was, even though I asked. I wonder if it has anything to do with the university that sits on the isle. My great-grandfather founded Black Hollow Elite when he was my age. He brought in faculty members from all over the world to teach the students extra-curricular subjects that don’t get taught in regular higher-education institutions.
It’s a private university that takes up half the isle and only accepts students from families who show loyalty to the Venier family and our allies. You don’t necessarily have to be blood-related to anyone who is already a Made Man, but you must show you’re willing to do anything, and I do mean anything, to join.
Students who are accepted learn a variety of skills including different fighting techniques, how to go undercover to garner information from rivals, and even how to establish and maintain business relations with criminal organisations. Most of those who attend are specially chosen from around the world and brought to the island to study. The rest of the students who are admitted, though, have had to beg and plead to join.
We don’t accept everyone. All the applications are considered, but we do thorough background checks before we decide who can attend. It doesn’t mean we never admit those who try to take us down—it happens more often than we’d like. However, we have learnt how to deal with shit like that, and every enemy we do find pays the price.
Living this life leads you to be colder than most, but it also ensures our safety. Black Hollow is my pride and joy, a gift from my father, but as much as I enjoy running the university, it takes its toll.
Most of the students come from old money. Blue bloods. And that’s where the Lawless Princes—me, Jordan, Val, Kai, and Emilio come in. We are the rulers of Black Hollow Isle, and our small group of friends will do anything to ensure we stay together and are safe. We’ll draw blood from our own family members if they are disloyal, disobey, or betray what’s ours.
As the sun sets on a long, drawn out day, I disembark and head for the limo waiting to take me to my destination. Meetings are my least favourite thing, but with my father gone, I have no choice. I’m the eldest, which makes me the one who has to lead.
“We’re here, Mr Venier,” the driver says after sliding down the partition that separates us. “I’ll wait.” He’s been with the family for so long, I don’t remember a time I haven’t seen him around the house and grounds.
“Thank you.”
Pushing open the car door, I exit the vehicle into the sticky summer air. It’s humid and I wish I was sitting on the beach with a handful of pretty women around me, rather than standing outside the offices of Hamilton & Associates in a fucking suit.
When Trevor Hamilton moved from London to Reggio Calabria to work for my father, he gave up his life for the Venier clan. Even though he has other clients, we are his priority, and we always will be.
Inside the air-conditioned office, I find a receptionist who looks as old as time. She glances up and I realise it’s Hamilton’s wife. I’ve only met her a couple of times, and I was much younger then.
“Mr Venier,” she says with a kind, warm smile, and for a moment, I miss not having my parents and grandparents, but I quash the emotion quickly and offer her a nod.
There’s no need to show emotion to anyone. The only people who see me feel are Kai and Val, the two men I trust the most with my life.