“We're fucking busy.”
“Nah, we can pause.”
We all glance at Arlo as soon as he speaks, and he makes a hand gesture.
“Proceed boys.”
No one dares challenge my father's authority, but Arlo fucking Hayes will if he wants to. I cast a sidelong glance at Reign as he responds.
“No disrespect, Arlo, but this is a family matter.”
But then again, my brother gives no fucks either. They are like two peas in a pod. Arlo stares at Reign with lingering intensity before offering a modest nod while studying him.
“Well, Reign, no disrespect, but this is my fucking meeting you’re interrupting, so whatever you have to say will have to wait or we can do this the fuck here.”
Arlo is waiting for some gossip to listen in on; he is being a snoop. It must be a boring day in the office. Reign sighs beside me, then side-eyes me.
“Fine, just say what you have to say; make it quick so we can get on with this.”
When Anton makes that statement, we both turn to look at them, but I can sense Reign's hesitation beside me. It is clear he doesn't want to have this conversation in front of Arlo, and honestly, neither do I. Reign eventually straightens his broad shoulders and takes a few steps forward, coming to a stop at the far end of the long table.
“This Swan situation.”
Both of our fathers’ glance at one another before my father responds.
"What the fuck about it?"
"We're not fucking doing it anymore."
His father sinks back in his chair, analyzing his son and my pa's eyes burn into me, tearing holes like a hot fucking laser of disappointment, but I just calmly raise my chin in defiance while keeping eye contact.
“Fuck this revenge shit. Swan is staying with us.”
As soon as Reign speaks the words his father stands, his face bright red with rage and he raises his voice.
“Was that you disobeying me, boy?”
Reign calmly lays his palms down on the table in front of him and stares at his father from afar.
“That is the thing, pa. I am not a fucking boy anymore.”
When Reign’s dad draws his gun and places it down beside him, I notice Arlo roll his eyes and face aside.
“Don’t you dare disrespect me, Reign. I will not hesitate to blow your fucking brains out, my son or not.”
Arlo now looks at Anton with a scowl on his face as soon as the words escape his lips.
"I'm not disrespecting you. I am fucking telling you that we are not doing this anymore. He will fucking destroy her."
"That's the whole point, you fucking fool. When did you suddenly give a fuck?"
All eyes are on my father when he calmly rises from his seat and continues.
"We know exactly what we're doing, and you two dumb fucks had one job to do, and you suddenly want to back out now after all these years? After all your hard work and commitment?”
“This was a big job for you both and it would have shown us you were ready to take over the Mafia when we retire."
I open my mouth, but Reign stops me with his hand raised as if he heard my thoughts, which frustrates me, but now he speaks to his father through tight teeth.
