“The boy doesn’t have the heart for it.” His black gaze is following me as I pace.
“You’re from a family like ours,” I snap, “this is a dynasty that passes from father to son. It’s how it’s done.”
“If Cormac dinna have the balls to become Chieftain of our clan, my Da’ would have passed it to Cameron, or Dougal, or me.” He thought for a moment. “Likely not me. I’m the wild card.”
The study door opens and Marcus, Zed, and Elana file in. “Breakfast is ready,” Marcus says cheerfully, “Mariella’s serving it outside on the terrace because she’s losing it over all the construction mess.” He eyes the two of us for a moment and starts back toward the door. “This looks like shit is about to ignite. I’m going to go enjoy a nice breakfast and tell Mariella to keep the eggs warm for you.”
Zed shuts the door with a frown. “What’s going on?”
“We’re putting in some new security measures for the study,” I say, darting a quick look at Elana. She can never know why this is so crucial.
“That’s a good idea,” Zed agrees, looking between me and Lachlan. “Why are you so upset?”
“Zed, be honest,” Lachlan shoves his giant dumb self into the conversation. “Ya’ dinna want to be head of the King Syndicate.”
Z’s mouth is open, and he closes and opens it again like a goldfish. “I…”
Elana turns to stare at him. “What? What’s going on here?”
His eyes are darting between her and me, forehead sheened with sweat. “This… When we talked last night, I…” Maybe it’s courage or just desperation, but his chin lifts. “No. Fuck, no. I never wanted it. But I was the precious son and it was myduty,”he spat. “The more I learned, the less I wanted to be part of it. I had nightmares for fucking years before I started taking sleeping pills.”
“And half a bottle of vodka,” Elana murmurs.
“Not helping,” I warn her.
“Whatever,” she snaps, “if Zed doesn’t run the business, who would? You?” She’s about to laugh, then her eyes narrow. “Are youtrying to take over the King Syndicate?” She points at Lachlan. “Or areyou?”
He laughs heartily. “No, lass. I dinna want your family business. I have my own. But if Aria wants the job, I’ll support her.”
Zed looks at me and it makes my heart clench. It’s hope. He’s looking at me so hopefully that I almost can’t stand it. How did I never see how much he hated this?
“You’re all forgetting that our world is 95% misogynistic assholes who won’t work with a woman,” I protest.
“You’re married to a MacTavish, the family who has the biggest mafia in Scotland,” Zed points out quickly. Almost like he’s been gathering his arguments. “No one’s going to fuck with you when he’s your husband. And I can act as a spokesperson for some of the old, dusty crime families.” He gives a mirthless chuckle. “That, I can handle.”
“This is nuts!” Elana complains, “We need to be a show of unity right now, not switching out leadership again. Uncle Bast- Uncle William just died and we don’t even know who killed him, much less what happened yesterday.”
Lachlan’s staring at me and I give him a tiny shake of my head. He nods at them meaningfully and I wish I could kill him with the power of my glare. Just set him on fire and…
“What’s going on?” Zed may not be leadership material, but my brother can read the room.
“Tell them,” Lachlan says quietly.
“Stop it,” I shake my head like that’s going to shut him up. “Don’t say another word.”
“They need to know how far you’re willing to go to save this family,” he insists. His dark gaze is warm, reassuring, but I’m too panicked to let it comfort me.
He’s right. I know he’s right. But god, I don’t want to say it out loud. I already know I’m responsible for the death of Uncle William, and at least one man at the funeral. Does this make me one of those vicious, violent women who murdered their way to the top of their crime family? I just wanted to protect them. Will they know that?
Closing my eyes, I suck in a deep breath. “I ordered the hit on Uncle William.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
In which there is much unreasonable judgement because siblings are never fair.
Aria…
“What did you say?” Zed gasps.
