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“We need to set up a meet with the others. Cash needs to go.” Sharp clicks of my heels on the slick floor gave my words an extra bite. Amara, our longtime housekeeper, took our coats with a smile.
I laid a hand on her shoulder in thanks before I paused. Cash had already proven he didn’t care about bystanders. She was a surrogate aunt and a staple in my home and family, and I couldn’t lose her. “It might be a good time for a vacation, Amara. Go visit Jessa in New England for a few weeks while we deal with things.”
As if he’d been waiting, Joaquin’s voice rang through the foyer. “Have you come to your senses, then? Are the upstart’s days numbered?”
Amara glared at him before patting me on the arm. “Not a fan of New England or my sister in the spring. Ask me again when it’s over.”
She disappeared down the hallway, and I let her confidence shore me up. She trusted me, and it was why she wasn’t leaving. Amara had faith that I’d protect her, and I wasn’t going to let her down.
I didn’t have to look to see Joaquin snug in his outdated armchair with his sycophants close. Yet another situation I’d let go too long without interference. Another effort to keep the peace that had backfired and made my life harder. I was done. Tired of trying to keep my family whole while they plotted behind my back. If I let them continue, I’d wind up dead. It had to end.
It was time to remind them who their sovereign was.
Men like Joaquin didn’t understand the strength of silence and patience. All they cared about was brute force, so I gave it to him. I flew across the room and yanked him from his chair. A loud crack preceded my uncle on his knees, his wrist twisted tight in my hand.
“Watch how you speak to me, Uncle. I would hate to see what happens when you push me.” There was nothing but deadly calm in my voice.
His followers shifted at his back, moving so their weapons were easier to reach. My own men adjusted their positions behind me with nothing more than a whisper of fabric. The air was tense around us, and unless I wanted Amara cleaning up a bloodbath, I needed to de-escalate.
It was a lesson, not a massacre.
“Draw a weapon in my home, and it’ll be the last thing you do.” I ran my eyes over the crowd, staring down each and every person. “I know all of you. I know your families, your partners, your kids. I’ve spent years protecting you, making this city safe enough for your children to walk to the corner store without an adult. I’ve poured my blood into these streets to keep you alive and fed, and this is how you repay me? By listening to the rantings of an old man with an old-world dream? By pulling a gun on the person you swore to protect? This is not the Marcosa family I grew up with. You’re nothing more than little boys playing gangster, and I’m tired of it.”
Joaquin’s men, my men, shifted again at my obvious disgust. Every one of them looked embarrassed and ashamed, naughty children being called out. Good.
“This insubordination is over. Anyone who continues will be met with force. I have no use for oath-breakers. If you want to challenge me for my position, you’ll do it in the ring, and I’ll put you down like I have all the others. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut unless I ask for your opinion.” Which would be on the third of never. Their decision-making was obviously subpar.
“The next person to disrespect me will find a way to the family plot. Is that understood?” When they all nodded, I turned back to my uncle. I could see hints of myself in him. We shared the same eyes, the same cruel tilt of our lips, the same texture in our hair. But where he’d gotten soft in his age, I’d grown hard. I was not the child he’d played dolls with nor the princess he’d helped blow out birthday candles. He could accept that or follow his brother and mine into the afterlife. I’d deal with the repercussions of it later.
“And you, Uncle? Do you understand?” I saw the battle in his eyes before he dipped his head with slightly insincere respect. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough for now.
I released him, moving just out of reach. Two of his men, nephews from his latest wife’s family, stepped forward to help him up, but I shook my head.
His own actions had put him on his knees, so he’d be the one to find his footing again. Just another reminder that his place was on my side or at my feet. There were no other options.
If looks could burn, I’d have been nothing but ashes, but Joaquin’s fury held a heavy dose of respect. He didn’t like what I’d done, but he understood because he would’ve done the same.
When he was seated again, I finally answered my uncle’s question.
“Gilded was robbed by Aces tonight, with one casualty on their side. We’ll meet the heads of the other families in the morning and decide how to get rid of them for good. I want the upstart dead before summer comes.”
If Cash wanted a war, I’d give him one. I’d bring the entire city down on him, and we’d smoke him out like the rat he was.
“Time for a war council, boys!” Joaquin’s men cheered when he flashed them a smug grin as if he’d orchestrated everything himself. Prick.
Leaving them, I headed to my office, my men silent at my back.
No one spoke until we were inside. I didn’t worry about talking in front of Nate. He’d been patted down and had his phone taken. Considering I wasn’t letting him off the premises, he couldn’t tell anyone our plans.
Don’t get too close, I reminded myself. Nate was in my home because he didn’t have another choice. I had to remember that.
Perched on the edge of the desk, I tapped my nails against my crossed arms. If I started pacing, I wouldn’t be able to stop.
Turning to our guest first, I gave him a friendly warning. “I don’t have time to handle you, so I’m giving you a chance to earn my trust in real time. Stay out of the way and out of things that don’t involve you. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“There are cameras everywhere,” Tennessee warned from his spot by the door. “Even when you think you’re alone, you aren’t. And this is a shoot first, ask questions later family.”
