Once the door slams shut, my focus shifts to Alrick. His eyes, a frosty shade of blue, grow narrower. His features always show concern following a visit from my father. I understand why. Despite his diminishing power and fragile look, Olan Larsson is an extremely dangerous man. Alrick thinks I’m reckless and that I don’t take necessary precautions, but I never underestimate him.
“Everything will be fine, Alrick.” I sift through the stacks of papers on my desk, looking for a copy of Arthur’s contract among the many others. “You worry entirely too much.”
“And you don’t worry enough,Odjur!”
Beast.
When I look up at him, he sighs. I lean back in my chair, giving him my full attention. Alrick is the most vocal of the twins. Although I’m sure Asva has concerns, he keeps them tohimself. While they are my employees, I look at them both as brothers, but Asva understands that, as a leader, I make all the decisions. Alrick doesn’t care that I’m the leader; he speaks his mind. And that keeps me grounded.
“You know he has men who are still loyal to him,” he continues. “I don’t understand why you’re waiting to take him out. It’ll take too long to weed out the ones who aren’t loyal to you before Olan strikes. You need to strike him first.”
He doesn’t even flinch when I slam my palm down on the top of my desk. “Because he hasn’t suffered enough! He will suffer until he is left with absolutely nothing. Until he grovels and begs formymercy!”
He sighs. “But it’s not smart to keep him alive, Florian. You are letting your need for revenge cloud your judgment. He’ll gather the others together to go against you soon if it’s not already happening.”
While he might be right, I won’t alter my plan. I need to do this my way.
“I appreciate the concern, Alrick. I really do, but you’re overstepping.” I take a calming breath and remind myself that Alrick is only looking out for me. “I will handle Olan as I see fit. Let it go.”
My plans for Olan are not open for discussion. It has been brewing for as long as I can remember, and nothing will sway my determination on the execution and timing.
Alrick wants to say more, but whatever it is will be in vain, and he knows it. The decision on what to do with my father was decided a long time ago. He’ll die on my terms.
“I’m only trying to look out for you, Florian, as your friend. As your brother.”
“I know, and it’s the only reason I allow you to speak your mind. It’s the only reason I haven’t slit your throat.”
He huffs, rolling his eyes, even though he knows I’m telling the truth. Alrick doesn’t understand the depth of my hate for my father. No one understands what he has put me through. The suffering he caused my mother when she was alive. The torment. The violence. He deserves no mercy and will get none from me.
I glance at my watch. It’s ten minutes after the time Arthur’s loan was due, and it looks like he’s making no effort to handle his debt.
“Enough about my father. Go pick up Arthur Williamson and bring him to me.”
9
Florian
“Ionly need a few more months, Florian. Please.” The begging starts as soon as Alrick shuts the door behind him. It’s annoying as hell, but I expect it. It always happens. “And I’ll have your money.”
“With interest?”
I arch my brow, then he looks away, and I sigh.
Of course, he won’t have it. He’s drowning in debt, and when I take over Williamson Holdings, I’ll gain all his other debts, too. It’s nothing I can’t manage, but the promises Arthur’s making, he can’t deliver, and he knows it. His business hasn’t been producing for years, and the man loves to gamble. A lot. Which is why he’s in the position he’s in. Now, everything has caught up with him, and he’s on the verge of losing everything, including his shipping company and all its holdings.
It was only a matter of time before he came to me. All Olan’s friends have come to me at one time or another. Either they were saved by my hand or destroyed by it.
Today, it looks like Arthur Williamson will be destroyed by it.
Although this is the usual tactic when it’s time for payment, I can’t deny that it coming from him is different. Arthur isn’thimself. Dark circles highlight his dull eyes, emphasizing the ashen skin of his sunken face.
Maybe he’s sick?
Not your concern, Florian.
I like Arthur. Although I don’t know him all that well, from what I’ve seen, he seems fair. I’ll never understand the connection between him and Olan or how they became friends. His reputation as an upstanding businessman precedes him. But if I take pity on him, I’ll have to take pity on everyone. And I’m definitely not willing to do that.
“Arthur, the terms of our agreement haven’t changed.” I rub my temples, the pounding in my head increasing. “Unless you have payment plus interest today, there’s nothing I can do.”
