“No,” she whispered. “I’m fine.”
Victor placed the muffin and water on the table. He turned toward the sound of the door opening. Lincoln entered with a scowl on his face and gestured for him and Lucas to come over.
“Xander, Jay, can I have a word?”
Victor and his brothers followed Lincoln into the hall.
“What’s going?” Xander asked.
Lincoln handed the envelope to Victor. “That motherfucker came after us because Lucas killed that assassin. You know, the one that stalked and killed Rosemary.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Jaysen questioned. “This is like some shit out of a movie.”
“That was her at the compound?” Victor asked.
“According to my source, yes. Apparently, this Yakuza boss, Youko Kon, had a thing for the killer.”
Lucas frowned. “So, he did all that to avenge this hitwoman’s death?”
“Apparently,” Lincoln confirmed.
“The hitwoman who wasn’t dead,” Victor muttered. He pulled a slip of paper from the envelope and grinned. “A wise man once said it’s no fun when the rabbit’s got the gun."
“What the fuck does that mean?” Jaysen questioned.
Victor turned to Lincoln and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You know what it means, don’t you?”
Lincoln nodded. “I do. And, I’m on it.”
Victor cupped the back of Lincoln’s head and kissed his cheek. “Keep me in the loop.” He handed the envelope back to Lincoln and moved toward the door.
“Oh, by the way,” Lincoln called, halting Victor’s steps. When he turned around, his younger brother the colonel snapped to attention and raised his hand in salute.
“Congratulations, Mr. President.”
Victor nearly lost his footing. He had completely forgotten about his bid for the presidency. The election hadn’t crossed his mind since he’d received the news about Mr. Montgomery.
“Oh, shit!” Jaysen blurted. “Congrats, bro.”
“Congratulations, Big Bro,” Lucas celebrated.
Victor’s brothers swarmed him and smothered him with hugs and noogies.
CHAPTER 42
NIYAH
“It was a beautiful service.”
“It was,” Bella agreed from the other end of the call.
“But what happened to everyone? Seems like fifteen minutes into the repast everyone disappeared.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Bella replied over a small cough. “I left because I’m not feeling well. I have a sore throat, and I might have a fever.”
Xander held the door open for Niyah to enter. “Thank you,” she mouthed to him before returning to her phone call. “Yeah, so, Taylor and Donna disappeared too.”
“They did?” Bella queried. “Well, Taylor couldn’t have gone far. She wouldn't have left her dad’s repast.”
