"Lorkan is under Don Demir's protection." Azula sends a tense look to Aidan, whose gaze has fallen to his brother.
"So, we'll call Demir and tell him to make sure Lorkan stays put until we get there. Then we collect him," Declan states, looking eager to enact the plan he just laid out.
"I don't think that will be possible," Azula says, pulling up a photo on her phone and sliding the device over to me.
My heart stills as I process what's in front of me. An image of Lorkan and Demir sparring in the gym, shirtless.
A vulture covers Demir’s chest.
"Motherfucker," Declan growls, slamming his fist on the table.
My heart sinks to my stomach, throat tightening and making it difficult to breathe. Clenching my hands into fists, the sharp edges of my nails digging into the flesh of my palm, grounds me. Pain I was used to feeling. Pain I knew how to handle. Betrayal is still a new emotion, one that made me feel like my organs were being ripped out of my chest. An emotion that I need to channel into rage and vengeance.
"I knew my reign as boss would be hard for some to swallow, but it appears we have deeply underestimated how many people would turn their backs on us, simply because they're afraid of working with me." The sharpness of my voice could cut through stone.
Azula protests, "No one has tried to denounce you after the statement you made at the charity banquet?—"
"Yet. No one has tried to denounce meyet. We assumed it was because they had accepted me after I showed how fit I am for this role. And maybe for some Dons, like Aleksander, that is true. But for others, it appears their quietness is not due to their support but because they're plotting against me," I summarize, feeling Declan shake with rage next to me. I'm sure he also came to a similar conclusion once he saw the photo of Demir and Lorkan.
"The time for being discreet has passed. We must act now," Declan seethes.
"I understand your rage at this moment, but maybe we should all take a deep breath before we make any hasty decisions. The last thing we need is a war between all the major Mafia families in the world." Aidan, surprisingly, serves as a voice of reason.
"I refuse to hide and cower while my wife continues to be attacked. Her safety is my number one concern," Declan growls, wrapping a large hand around my thigh.
Whatever rational thinking Aidan had goes out the window when he says, "Maybe it would be best for Zahra’s own safety if she takes a back seat for a while and lets us handle it. You can run the Irish and the Persians until some of the heat on us cools off?—"
"Over my dead fucking body!" I grit through my teeth.
At the same time, Declan reaches over the table and grabs his brother by the collar. In this moment, it's not Declan facing his younger brother; it's Declan McAlister, the boss of the Irish mafia, reprimanding his second in command. "If you ever speak of such treason again, I will remove you from your post and exile you to the barracks back in Cork."
"I didn't mean any disrespect?—"
"Stop talking, Aidan. I will not ask you again." Declan tightens his grip on Aidan's shirt.
I wrap my arm around Declan's bicep and squeeze. "Let him go, Declan. I'm sure by now, Aidan has realized he misspoke and is remorseful." I eye Aidan, hoping for his sake he goes along with it. Declan loves his brother more than anything but he still has a reputation and expectations he has to follow as a boss. The last thing I wanted to see was Declan hating himself for the punishment he'd have to deal out to his brother.
Azula sneers. "You're lucky your brother and my boss are kind and considerate rulers. If it was up to me, I'd slit your throat right now for even suggesting Zahra step down from her rightful position."
"Are you always this bloodthirsty? I can't believe Zahra lets you loose without anyone to monitor you," Aidan clips in response.
Azula's grip tightens around her fork, eyes narrowing on Aidan's neck before she drops it on the table dramatically. A warning.
I refocus our attention. "We need to move quick. Declan, how fast can all your core members come together for an emergency family meeting?"
"Everyone we need is here in the city." Declan looks to Aidan, then Connor.
"Then we'll all convene tonight at the main mansion."
Aidan swallows hard, tersely scratching his neck. "You're calling in both of our inner circles?”
"My life has nearly been taken more times than I want to admit in the past few months. Our fathers' lives were taken before that. If anything, it was idiotic not to include them sooner. Idiotic to underestimate how big a threat Lorkan truly is."
It was also idiotic to believe my father's allies would be more inclined to side with me. Our family has always been a powerful threat, and with me at the helm, I represent something equally as impactful as fear. Progress.
"Azula, can you contact Aleksander? See if he can be in attendance somehow," I order, wondering how long it will take until Declan protests the idea.
He lasts less than ten seconds. "Why the hell do you want him involved in all of this?"
