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“How do I let you go?” I open my mouth to answer her but no words come out.
“You don’t.” The three of us look at Erika who shrugs her shoulders and continues. “He’ll always be your baby and will always need his mother even when his stubborn ass thinks he won’t. A mother’s love is never not needed. He just needs you to let him be the man he is destined to be.” A lone tear treks down my mom’s cheek, I hate seeing her cry.
“He proved himself, baby. He took over and kept shit going while I was away; the little shit even managed to snag Miami from right out under my nose.” I smile at that, I knew that move would show him that I can do this. “We raised him to be ready for this.” He looks directly at me as he finishes. “And, he’s ready to lead.” My breath hitches.
“Really?” I rasp out.
“You’ve been ready for a while now, I just didn’t want to see it. You proved me wrong by doing what you did when I was taken; you kept our family safe and didn’t take the money I left you all in the safety deposit boxes and run. You fought for what is yours, I would be a fool to not acknowledge that. Miami is yours son, New York will remain mine until I say otherwise.” I open my mouth, but he pushes on. “I speak to you as a Don, not your father, you try to take New York from me, and I will treat you like I do everyone else.”
“You have my word. I would never do that to you, I’ll make you proud.” I say with conviction, Erika places her hand on top of mine and gives it a gentle squeeze in silent support.
“I’ve been proud of you since the day you were born, Royal.” Fuck, that shit has me choked up. I gently lift Erika off me and stand, Dad does the same and then I pull him to me for a hug. I never thought he would ever hand me Miami or stand by my side as I did it. This is the best fucking outcome I could have ever asked for. We pull apart and the old man smiles proudly, clapping me on the shoulder.
“You capture Emilio but I am ending the fucker, he tried to take my brothers from me. I’m not asking, Royal, I am telling you that I am going to end that mother fucker for that and what he said about your mother.” Anger surges inside me.
“What did he say about her?” I grit out.
“Something that no man should ever say about a woman.” Erika answers, drawing my father’s attention to her once again.
“You gonna try save your last family member?” He asks.
“No. Emilio deserves what he is going to get.” She answers without hesitation.
“With him gone, where does that leave you?” He pushes.
“Homeless and broke?” She answers.
“She stays with me.” I say in a tone that leaves no room for argument.
ERIKA
The past week has been crazy but in the best possible way. The Murdoch’s aren’t what I thought they would be. They are so humble and real, they don’t try to be something they’re not and honestly that’s a breath of fresh air. King and Ally left the next day after we arrived here then Rook and Clare left four days ago with Gage and Anya to get back to their girls while the others remained. Bishop chose to remain here while King sorted everything back in New York to make sure everything went back to running smoothly. Bishop needed to be here so he could teach Royal and he may not see it but I can tell he’s happy his dad is the one teaching him the ropes of everything.
Royal, Havoc, Chaos, Knight, Vincent and Bishop are in Royal’s office trying to work out if the tip they got on a sighting of Emilio earlier is actually him or not. Kiara, Amelia, Chanel and Carlina are all in the living room working away on their laptops while I sit at the kitchen counter watching them.
“How’s your shoulder?” I look to the side to see Koby Murdoch enter the kitchen, her and I haven’t spoken since the day she tortured my ass.
“Uh, it’s good, thanks.” She rests her forearms on the other side of the counter and looks toward the living at the others.
“Why don’t you go join them?” I keep my gaze averted as I answer her.
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“Hmmm.” I eye her out of the corner of my eye. “Take it from someone who came into this family in a similar position as you, they won’t judge you. The only way to get them all to turn against you is to hurt one of them.”
I swivel around and face her. “What do you mean by my position?”
“I’m not going to go into details but at the time I met Knight, I was married to the Pakhan of the Bratva that had kidnapped his brother.” My mouth drops open in surprise. “Your last name means nothing, I love my nephew and would never hurt him.” The threat is clear in her tone. “I have watched that boy grow and loved him from the moment he was born, hurt him and I’ll make what happened in that shed look like child’s play.”
“You have my word.” I answer honestly, she nods and walks off to join the others in the living room. Kiara looks to me and smiles motioning for me to join them, I want to deny her but I also don’t want to piss off the mother of the guy I’m fucking numerous times a day. I take the seat between her and Carlina, I feel awkward as hell being in here. Royal and I may be sleeping together and he claims me as his but he’s never actually told me what we are so I don’t know how I fit into this dynamic.
“You’re still here.” Chanel snarks, I shoot her a snide look.
“Chanel, don’t be rude.” Her mother scolds but the girl doesn’t listen.
“Why? It’s not like she has much time left, as soon as Royal finds her uncle, she’s dead.” She says wagging her brows at me.
“God, why couldn’t you like Barbies and dresses?” Carlina whines. Deciding to stick up for myself for a change I glare at Chanel.
