Robert's hands curl into fists at his side. "You're the one fucking the family, and you know it. We should be pulling out of the war, but you keep putting us deeper into it, and you don't seem to give a damn about that at all."
People around us turn to listen, whispers starting.
I take a step toward Robert, clapping a hand on his shoulder, squeezing his pressure point tight. "You're going to want to watch what you're saying. The Lyndes aren't the only enemies we have, and I'm not going to stand here and let you make a fool out of me and everything I've done."
His gaze locks on mine, a silent challenge. And then, like the little bitch he's always been, he looks at the ground, backing down before there's a chance to get into a fight.
Shame. I could use a good fight. I could beat the shit out of him and hopefully get some of this tension out.
He might finally remember who the fuck I am and stop testing me at every turn.
Not too long ago, I would've killed him without question. I wouldn't have put up with this. Am I getting soft in my old age?
No. He still has a purpose. Once that's fulfilled, I'll figure out what to do with him.
"Summer is back in our hold," Robert says as my hand drops. "You were going to let the most valuable bargaining chip we have slip through your fingers."
"And you've just shown everyone here that you and I are at odds. That we're not working together. You showed them the cracks in the foundation. What do you think that's going to do for the family in the long run?" I finish my drink, putting the glass on a passing tray.
The muscle in his jaw ticks, a vein on his forehead popping out. "You don't know how any of this is going to end, but you were going to fuck us over."
"Think what you want to make yourself feel better about the damage you've just done."
Robert looks like he wants to hit me, his fist clenching a little tighter before relaxing.
More people are watching us; I can feel their gazes burning into me. Sooner or later, this is all going to come to a head, but now isn't the place. It's not the time either.
When I finally put him in his place, it's going to need to be a lesson he's never going to forget. He's going to need to be beaten down for the last time.
With a shake of his head, Robert takes a step back. "You're fucking this up for all of us, and you don't even see it."
He turns on his heel and goes off to collect his prize, pushing through the people surrounding us.
Hector appears before melting back into the crowd, following behind Robert without a word.
He's definitely getting a raise.
I didn't have to ask him to trail Robert, but Hector is good at anticipating his orders. He knows what the family needs, and he doesn't think twice about acting on it. He moves through life with ease, not hesitating, not questioning my orders.
He's a good soldier.
Ivan Popov offers me a beer. "Looks like that didn't go the way you wanted it to."
Music begins to play as the stage goes black, curtains being drawn across it.
Now is the time for making deals, striking new connections, speaking with men before they disappear with their prizes for the night.
This was supposed to be the time I was looking forward to.
I take the beer and shrug. "He's been difficult to handle."
Ivan leads the way to an empty table, taking a seat and motioning to the chair across from him. "Seems most of your family is, with the way they turn against you. Seems like you're having a hard time controlling your family."
I take a seat, cracking the top off the beer. "They're difficult and always have been, but it's better to find out they're traitors now than to be in the middle of a battle and have a knife in my back."
"Seems like you're weak for not killing them." Ivan smirks, his head tipping to the side, the red lights glinting off the top of his bald head.
And there it is. The whispers swirling around the city for a long time.
