Twenty four

RYLAND POV

My grin stretched as I stocked gold, some emerald, and bundles of cash into my safe. It was good to be in charge, and the scent of the money, some specked with a sprinkle of blood was so satisfying that I couldn't wait to kill again and acquire more.

Taking over the Putakali clan had been so easy that it got me wondering if I shouldn't put some plan in place to take over all the other rival alliances that Jade had made while she was here.

It was a no-brainer that I had uncle Vito under my thumb. The other family also dared not soil my name in their circle since anyone who did met with the muzzle of my gun, so what was there to stop me from achieving my aim?

Yes! This was going to be the most perfect plan. I was going to destroy everything and anyone who stood in my path and I would smile through it all.

But all of a sudden, taking over the Alvarez clan was not enough. I wanted to be the only sovereign ruler, I wanted all the money to come to me, and I wanted everyone to serve under my reign.

And if there was one thing about me, it was that I always got whatever it was I wanted. The thought had been born and I knew that until I took over, there would be no peace in my life.

The door opened and the new consigliere, Leonardo, whom I'd appointed stepped into the room.

"How is the family warming up to you. Are they listening to all your suggestions and advice".

The man smiled. "Of course. After all, they voted for me to take over."

"That is good to hear. I already have spies watching every member of the extended family just as you advised. If they make any move, I'll take them out without blinking an eye".

"And your sister? You do realize that as long as she is breathing, she poses a risk to the reputation you have built right. If the family finds out that you were behind the death of Alvarez, they will take you down".

I sighed and walked towards the drink cabinet. "I told you I had that under control, you don't need to worry about it. I already made a plan and soon she will be dead".

"I hope so. We've come too far to fall now."

I shook my head as I took out a bottle of whiskey and poured both of us a glass. "Relax, every plan I make always comes with a backup. No matter what happens, Lexis dies this week".

Leonardo watched me skeptically and his lack of optimism made me feel as if I was making a terrible mistake. "Why didn't you just kill her yourself," he said picking up the drink I'd poured.

It was disrespectful and it made my hand itch to pick up a gun and put a bullet through his skull.

"She is family".

"Wasn't your father's family?"

I stared at him, then pushed away from the counter I was leaning on. "Lexis and father are cut from two different fabrics, Leonardo. Papa never loved or cared about me, but my sweet little sister always had my back. What makes you think you have the right to rush me into getting rid of her? Who gave you the right to compare her to the man who ruined our lives" I said, stepping into his space until I saw the look of fear that I'd been anticipating crossing his face.

He swallowed, his throat working. "I didn't mean to pressure you..."

"Of course, you didn't mean to but you did and that little slip-up made my heart ache. Tell me, Leonardo, do you think you're indispensable?" I asked, my hand landing on his shoulder and I squeezed a little. He winced, his eyes wary of looking into mine.

"No. I do not think so, but if you have me killed, the family will start a riot".

"Really? That sounds as if you think the family accepted me because of you, you must think you're some great savior. Do you think you saved my empire, that without your help I wouldn't be able to win the family's trust"?

"No, sir Ryland, I will never say or think such an absurd... "

"I don't want to hear you grovel Leonardo. I thought you would own your game, but it turns out that you're also just a little bitch" I said then pulled out my Glock, cocking it and pointing it to his head. Leonardo inhaled sharply, his eyes zeroing in on the muzzle of the gun.

"It would be so easy to pull the trigger Leonardo, do you know why, it's because you're not family, you are not Lexis. Killing you would be like quashing a bug underneath my shoes".

"I know that and I am sorry..."

"Are you? Why don't you go down on your knees and beg for your life. Do that and maybe I'll spare you".

The man hesitated, then dropped to his knees, his hands reaching out to touch my shoes. "Spare me. Spare me and I'll be loyal till death. Spare my life Master".

I watched, feeling bigger, taller, and stronger than I really was. My finger tightened on the trigger. It was a heady feeling for me to have to decide whether someone lived or died. Lowering the gun, I stepped away from him, my ears picking up his audible gasp of relief.

"I'll kill Lexis under my terms, so refrain from advising me If I don't ask for it."

"Thank you for sparing my life Don. I will do my possible best to serve you. I'll die for you if I have to".

"Enough with the theatrics!" I said glancing at his kneeling form. "I'll believe you when you actually do as you've said".

A knock on the door stopped the conversation.

"What is it!" I yelled, the interruption making me angrier than I normally was.

"Vito is here to see you. He says it's business. There's been some problems at the whorehouses".

"Do I have to take care of every little thing?" I gritted out, then resisted the urge to tear my hair out. "Fine! Send him in".

The footsteps of the soldiers echoing down the hall increased the ache in my head. After some seconds, Vito stepped into the room.

"Ahh, If it isn't my favorite nephew" his boisterous voice carried through the room and I managed a grin that looked as fake as day. "I see Leonardo is here".

"He was just leaving" I dismissed, and Leonardo nodded.

"Yes. If we ever meet again, I hope it's under much better circumstances".

"I hope so too" Vito answered. The two men shook hands and I watched them with hawk eyes, hoping to pick up any subtle exchange between them.

It was exhausting always being on the watch, but that was the price to pay if you didn't want to get blindsided and killed before ever enjoying the fruit of your labor.

Leonardo walked out of the door and I wondered if I had made a mistake in sparing his life after all.

"There has been a failed rescue mission. Putakali men tried to rescue Ares, but they destroyed the whorehouses. A lot of profit has been lost, so the monthly payments might be less this month".

I cursed. I thought I had everyone under my thumb but it turned out I didn't, and the thought that they had fearlessly invaded my territory made me see red.

"Did you get them all, did anyone manage to escape".

"We killed about half of them, two escaped, and we have three of them in the torture chamber".

"Those sons of bitches. They dared to come into my territory to disrespect me. Well, Ares will have to pay for their disrespect."

"Of course. The family will expect nothing less than that. Reputation is everything in this line of business and letting those ass-wipes getaway will do no good for your steel image. You always have my support, so just say the word and I will make it happen".

"We need to make Ares's humiliation public so that his little loyal rebels dare not cross me ever again." I grinned as I came up with the perfect little plan. "Have him recorded being degraded in the worst possible way, they have my permission to do whatever it is they want with him and after that, we'll sell him off at the auction to the highest bidder".

"About the auction, the cops have been paying more attention than usual. I think we should push it off for a while".

I laughed, the sound tearing at my throat. "This town is mine, Uncle. The bureau is under my control. We have nothing to worry about. The auction will go as planned".

Vito looked as if he wanted to argue but thought better of it. "If you say so, then it is so".

"It is. And about the monthly payments, I'd like to make some adjustments at the next family meeting... " I was saying when Simone burst into the room like some untrained soldier. "There better be a good reason for this, or your life might go for this mistake".

"Lexis and Hayden are gone, there's no trace of them in the mansion".

His words registered and I swore. Damn it all to hell. I should have killed both of them when I had the chance. The fucking backstabbers. Well, they sealed their fate.

"Find them both, and when you do, kill them".