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Elias and Sergio took post on either side of me as they always did. We had always been each others’ shadows, protective and loyal to one another since we were young boys. My losses were their losses, my wins were their wins, and vice-versa.
My father was already seated, showing no sign of the pain we all knew he was in from being shot. The dumb fuck was lucky to be alive.
It was his idea to meet here, more than likely to escape the wrath he’d awakened in my mother with his most recent screw up. But she knew where he was; she always did.
“Meus filhos,” he greeted us.
My uncle Regaldo sat to his right, acknowledging me with a grin that matched Felix’s.
“You didn’t bring the book,” my father noted, seeing my hands were empty.
“You aren’t getting it back. I told you that already, and since you keep calling me about it, I thought I’d redeliver the message in person.”
He blinked, his eyes slightly darkening. I stood unfazed. His temper could be volatile, but mine was easily ten times worse.
I’d told Elena once that I was adept at listening without hearing words, seeing what others sought to hide. It was a skill I’d developed early on, and had only strengthened as I got older.
I could see him struggling with my blatant disregard of his wishes, and couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
“Is this how it’s going to be? You defying me now?” he questioned, his voice gruff.
“After this little fiasco with Eva, you’re lucky I haven’t planted a bullet between your eyes.”
“Who the fuck do—”
Before he could finish, I was directly in front of him, leaning down so we were eye to eye. “No, who the fuck do you think you are? I don’t take orders from anyone, especially not you.
“You put this entire empire at risk for a mangy piece of pussy every Tom, Dick, and Harry around here has sampled. You disrespected my mother, and sullied our family name. I will leave you to rot in the bottom of a barrel before I allow that to ever happen again.”
I kept my composure, kept my voice level.
I found threats carried better when spoken calmly. I meant every word, and he knew it. I didn’t bluff or talk out of my ass. He was well aware of that; after all, he was the one who took me out on my first kill for my fourteenth birthday.
Father or not, there were too many other people I had to account for to allow his wandering dick to destroy what I’d built with zero help from him, especially where my Elena was concerned.
Any man with a bit of luck could be born into power or passed the proverbial torch. But holding that power, making it grow into something no one dared fuck with?
That took work.
It took sacrifice, hard decisions, and building a solid foundation on top of blood and violence.
No one spoke. The room filled with tension as the other men waited to see what he would do.
“Meu garoto,” he praised loudly, a large grin overtaking his face. “Is my son not a natural?” he asked the room.
“You were born to be king of más alto,” Uncle Regaldo proudly agreed.
“And you’re right,” my father admitted. “I was an arrogant shit and you’ve done a damn good job of cleaning up my mess. Your mother and I are very proud of you. Now tell me, how does it go with my new future daughter?” he asked after he lit a cigar, relaxing back into his chair.
“I’m sending her to Juniper tomorrow,” I replied.
“Getting straight to it eh?” he laughed.
“I have somewhere to be,” I said, brushing off his last question.
At one point, I’d looked up to him. Now, I had surpassed him.
Learning his truths had forever tarnished the image I had of the man I thought he was.
