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“Yes. One hour. Don’t keep me waiting, Chanel.” He ends the call. I stare at the blank screen of my phone for a solid minute before I manage to shake myself out of my stupor and rush into action. I quickly change into a pair of jeans and an off the shoulder tee that has tears throughout it. Tying my hair into a messy bun I deem myself ready without even checking my reflection in the mirror. I don’t care for looks like most girls, shit, I don’t even wear makeup or a dress. The day you catch me in a dress, heels and makeup is the day you know the world is about to end.
Rushing downstairs, I swipe a set of keys off the counter and head for the front door. I pull my sunglasses off my head and secure them on my face as I round the corner to one of the Chevy pickups Royal has here but slam to a halt at the site of Erika leaning against the truck.
“The fuck are you doing?” I grit out.
The little bitch just rolls her eyes and pulls the door open. “Royal texted me and said to go with you.” I brush the feeling of dread pooling inside me at her words and climb in on the other side. I caress the steering wheel for a second before starting this big bitch. The sound of her engine purring and the way she roars to life has me smiling—driving this beast gives me big dick energy. I say nothing to Erika as I drive along the coastal roads with the windows down and music up loud. She takes my silence as me not liking her. I don’t correct her because the truth is, I am a fucking nervous wreck.
Not only is my father here in Miami but apparently he’s already with Royal and that scares me. I know my dad likes to think that because we are family that snitching can be forgiven. He is out of his mind. Royal doesn’t give second chances. If he were to find out what I have done he would kill me, there is no doubt in my mind about that. I try to find comfort in the fact that I know Royal won’t drag out my death, because we are family he will make it swift and painless. Pulling up near the pier, I find a spot and take a second to gather my thoughts. I grip the handle ready to climb out but Erika’s words have me pausing.
“You hate me, I get it. But, I can also see there is something that is weighing on you. I don’t claim to know you or anything like that, Chanel, but I want you to know that if there is ever a moment you need someone and can’t talk to Royal, I am here. You have my word that nothing you tell me will go any further, I would never betray you by telling him.” I peer over my shoulder at her, her eyes are filled with unease as she waits for me to snap at her like I always do.
“I don’t hate you, Erika.” Her eyes widen. “I envy you.” Her jaw unhinges. I leave her sitting there as I climb out of the truck and head across to the pier where I can see my dad, Royal and Havoc standing at the end. The three of them stand there with dark sunglasses covering their eyes. Both my cousins wear dark jeans and black tees while my dad stands there in shorts and a tank. I take a deep breath and stuff my hands into my pockets, cracking my neck from side to side as I make my way down to them. I’m halfway there when Erika finally catches up to me.
“I got your back,” she whispers before racing ahead, her sundress billowing around her as she launches herself at Royal. He looks like a menacing bastard standing there stoically but the moment Erika throws herself at him, a broad smile stretches across his face and he catches her with ease, burying his face in the crook of her neck. I never thought I would see the day a woman managed to snag his attention for longer than an hour, yet here he is in love with a woman who was meant to be the demise of our family.
The moment I stand before them, Havoc nods in greeting. Royal may not see that he is struggling without his twin, but I do. Havoc relies on Chaos so much, he can’t function without his brother by his side—the same can’t be said for Chaos. He thrives on his own, relishes in the spotlight that is cast on him. Out of the four of us, he is the one who has struggled the most with having to keep a low profile. Since we came to Miami, we have had to work harder to conceal our identities. Royal being the Don and me as his underboss has pushed us into the spotlight of the underworld. I ignore Royal as he continues to whisper what I’m sure are disgusting promises in Erika’s ear and look at my dad.
Vincent Murelo aka The Bloodhound is a formidable force. He stands there with his head tilted down at me and his lips set in a firm line. Him being here without my mom is a sure sign that I’m not going to like what he has to say as my dad is never away from my mom unless he absolutely has to be.
“Sin.” I tear my gaze from my dad to look at Royal, who now has a blushing Erika tucked into his side. I say nothing as I wait for him to say whatever is on his mind. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Dread churns inside me, I keep my gaze on my cousin and force myself to remain calm. “I didn’t have a—”
“She didn’t know how to ask you for time off.” I cut a glance to my dad and frown. “I filled Royal and Havoc in,” he says.
“About?” I query.
“About you coming on a job with me to help hone your skill set, plus I need to train you in the art of reading people and certain situations better.” That was a cheap shot and he knows it but I remain silent. “It will help you better serve your cousin as his second. I assured him that you would be much better at your job after this mission.” I grind my teeth. This mission he speaks of is bullshit. My dad has never taken me on jobs even when I begged and pleaded. If I’m reading this right, then the job he speaks of is just a cover story so he can take me with him to kill Connor.
“I think Sin is perfectly capable of running shit as is,” Royal says in my defense.
“That may be but as my only daughter, I would like you to humor me, nephew, and allow me this chance to assure myself that my daughter is well equipped and ready to move into this life with ease,” Dad tactfully adds.
“She was born for this shit,” Havoc says. Hearing both my cousins come to my defense and knowing they have faith in me, bolsters my sense of belonging but it also has guilt gnawing inside me.
“Sin is a badass. She’s the best at what she does, Uncle Vin. I know Chanel better than anyone and I am telling you now, you should trust her and her abilities because I trust her with my life.” I have a first class ticket to hell. I’m going to burn for all eternity. I drop my gaze to my shoes, feeling like utter shit.
“Of course she is, she is her mother’s daughter after all,” Dad says with a hint of pride in his voice. “Give me this time with her and I swear to you that I will never interfere in your business again.” I remain silent not knowing what to say. I fucking hate this shit. I have never lied to Royal and it sickens me that I have no choice but to follow Connor’s orders or risk my family ending up behind bars.
“It’s Sin’s choice,” Royal finally says after a moment. I slowly lift my gaze to his and inhale a deep breath. I know without my dad needing to say it, if I don’t go with him and do whatever it is he wants me to, then he will rat me out.
“I’ll continue to run things remotely for you until I get back. Havoc can step up and take over the day to day shit until then.” Royal nods stiffly. I can see in his demeanor that he knows something is up, but he won’t call me on it in front of everyone.
“Very well.” A whoosh of air escapes me at his agreement. “I want to be updated daily. You have four weeks to sort this shit before we make a move on the Albanians and I need you by my side when that shit happens, Chanel.” I nod my head eagerly.
“I swear I’ll be there, I always have your back.”
“As I do yours, never forget that,” he says with such conviction.
“See you soon, Sin. I got a mark to take out and a body to disembowel,” Havoc says casually. I shake my head, he talks about murder like we are discussing the weather.
“I got a meeting in the city. Erika and I will stay at the penthouse for the night and be back in the morning,” Royal says to Havoc before turning back to me. He pulls away from Erika so he can pull me to him and wrap me in a hug. I sigh and return his embrace. “Whatever it is that is troubling you, I’m here Sin, always.” His whispered words have me slamming my eyes closed and willing the guilt to remain inside me and not leak out in the form of tears.
“I swear, everything I am doing is for the family,” I force out past the lump in my throat. He nods and pulls away, then he, Havoc and Erika walk away. I stand here staring after them feeling a divide forming between me and Royal. We have never been divided before and I fucking hate that this is happening to us because of my mistake.
“Give me the keys,” Dad says. I hand him the truck keys without argument and follow after him silently. He says nothing as we climb in the truck and he heads in the opposite direction from our house.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we hit the interstate.
