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“Devin Carlos,” Pops growled. “What a crock of shit. Why didn’t we see this coming?”
“Because I’ve been embroiled in acts of revenge for far too long, Pops. It’s time to start thinking clearly.”
“You’re fuckin’ kidding me?” Francois exclaimed. “It’s time for you to get your head out of your ass or this family is going to lose everything.”
I glanced at Francois, my jaw clenching at his accusatory tone. However, I understood his discontent. “If my sources are correct, Ramsey has been dirty for years if not all along, working with Devin under the radar. I have some solid information to corroborate that.”
“But you want to rattle his chain,” Pops said, giving me a sly smile.
“To act on revenge in an entirely different manner,” Louie offered.
“Exactly. It would seem Ramsey wanted to corrode the business from inside out as well. That’s why Grayson was really involved. And why he was basically thrown to the wolves. The guy knew what was happening and couldn’t stop it.”
“A necessary casualty of war.” Francois continued to glare at me.
“I have no remorse about what happened to Grayson. It was necessary to send a message to our men if nothing else. However, this must be played carefully.”
“I’m curious, brother. What role do you believe Thomas has in all of this? From your tone, it almost seems as if you’re going soft on the man. After what he did to your family, I’m surprised,” Francois asked.
“Knock it the fuck off, gentlemen,” Pops sneered. “We need this bullshit to end. While I believe you’ve thought this through with regard to marrying Thomas’ daughter, be careful. It could blow up in your face.”
I took a deep breath. “I’m well aware of that, Pops, but hopefully we’ll find out the bottom line of what we’re dealing with after we pay a visit to Devin. If I’m right about Ramsey, then they’re planning the last few stages of the coup they started together.”
Francois shook his head. “A part of me hopes you’re not right about this.”
“Why? Finding out who’s threatening our family and who killed Sophia will ease my conscience.”
“Because you’ll go off the rails if Ramsey is behind Sophia’s death,” Francois answered, eying me carefully.
“Which you doubt.”
Shrugging, he glanced over his shoulder at Raven. “Thomas was always the number one suspect. If he couldn’t have her, no one could.”
I took a deep breath. “Yeah, I know. I plan on paying him a visit as well.”
“You’re playing with fire, son. But you know that already,” Pops said in passing.
“What am I missing here?” Louie demanded. “And why do I have the feeling Raven isn’t just a girl you met somewhere.”
Both Francois and my father gave me looks indicating they wanted no part of the explanation, Francois even backing away.
“Raven is Thomas’ daughter.” I locked eyes with my brother, daring him to challenge me. He had no right at this point.
There was a moment where I knew Louie was more incensed than I’d ever seen him before. “Hold on. Wait a fucking minute. Let me get this straight. The woman you’re marrying is Thomas’ daughter? You’re not just playing with fire, brother. You’re trying to burn our world down piece by piece.” He’d raised his voice, which almost immediately drew my sister’s attention.
“She is his daughter and what I’m doing is keeping our billion-dollar business alive. Maybe you can consider providing assistance in doing that sometime.”
“Stop it,” Pops growled, and I shook my head. I should have known this would be a disaster.
“Does she have any understanding why you’re marrying her?” He bristled, more so than I’d seen him do in years.
“Leave him alone, son. It’s a business decision, a decent one. Whether or not Thomas is involved in our recent grievances with the Feds, the alliance will ensure he will keep that from happening so severely in the future.” Father’s insistence brought a round of venom to Louie’s eyes.
“You’re nuts,” Louie hissed.
I sensed my mother becoming edgy, Raven constantly trying to figure out what was going on.
“What are you talking about?” Edmee asked as she came closer. “I thought you weren’t going to discuss business. Not tonight.”
