“They’ll make the announcement after dinner. Until then, try and keep it in your pants, and don’t drink too much since you’llbe expected to do a speech. After that, anything goes since you’ll be the boss.”
And everyone liked a little debauchery at these parties. I was sure Gabriel would deliver.
“My first order of business will be to make my seconds wear pink suits. And a hat. I’m thinking one with a feather.”
Raising a brow at him, I smiled at the head of the Yugoslavian mafia. He was talking to Gabriel’s future father-in-law. They looked a little too cozy for my liking. The two had never gotten along but seemed relaxed around each other tonight.
“Watch Aleksándr and Yuri. They look like they’re up to something.”
Gabriel followed my gaze and groaned. “This is why I’m not cut out for this. I wouldn’t have noticed nor cared that they’re suddenly besties.”
“You’ll learn. And you’ll have me until you do.”
He stepped in front of me. “Don’t think you can ever step down completely. You’ll forever stay my second. And that’s nonnegotiable or I’ll go up there and announce you as the official heir.”
Grinning at his forlorn expression, I clapped him on the arm. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave you. I’m saying I’ll be your eyes and brains until you get the hang of it.”
“It’s called eyes and ears, dumbass.”
Chuckling, I nodded at the Georgian ambassador and his newest wife. She was at least ten years younger than the last one. “Nope. I said exactly what I meant to say.”
“Asshole,” Gabriel hissed under his breath before pasting a smile on his face. “Aleksándr.”
“Gabriel,” the Bratva boss greeted my brother before turning his attention to me. “Liam. You ready for tonight?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You’ll have the world at your feet. And my beautiful daughter by your side. I’m sure you’ll be quite pleased with her. She knows her place and will make a good wife.”
I never understood how he could treat his own flesh and blood like expendable cattle. But then again, we were the scumbags who signed a marriage contract without ever having set eyes on the bride. Or making sure this was what she wanted.
Hopefully, Gabriel would do right by her.
The rest of the evening went the same way, lots of smarmy smiles and empty promises.
As the time for the ceremony creeped closer, Gabriel looked like he was about to jump out the nearest window.
When Jude nudged him, he startled as if he hadn’t even heard him come up. I’d never seen him so unsettled.
“Stop wringing your hands,” Jude teased. “You’re not being led to slaughter.”
“Might as well be. My life is over.”
Grinning, Jude looked out over the guests. “Always the drama queen.”
Abandoning my perch on the side of the balcony, I nodded inside. “Let’s sit back down. It’s about to start.”
“Fuck,” Gabriel cursed but followed.
Jude took up the rear, making sure our brother didn’t change course. Or run out. That would be undignified for an Olysses.
Once everyone was seated again, my father, who sat at the head of the table, raised his glass. “The day has come for me to step back. I’ve been head of our family for over thirty years, and I think I deserve to retire. And who better to take the reins than my son.”
Every eye in the room turned to me. Smirking, I watched their confusion when Gabriel stood up instead. Pulling on his suit, he stood tall, an air of confidence around him. “It’s anhonor to be trusted with continuing our family legacy. This is what I was born to do and what I will die preserving.”
He sat back down, the room stunned into silence. Aleksándr looked ready to murder someone, but there wasn’t a thing he could do about Gabriel becoming head of the family. And I doubted he cared who his daughter would marry. We’d have to keep an eye on him, but we would have had to do that anyway.
I raised my glass, indicating I was okay with this instead of starting the brawl everyone seemed to be expecting. “To the new head of the Olysses family.”
