Thirty six

RYLAND POV

The red wine I held in my hand had lost its savor and as I listened to the family yabber on and on about how my management sucked even tho they didn't use the term, it was starting to make me feel like murdering everyone in the room. The auction hadn't pushed through because of the cops raiding the venue... Vito had warned against it but I hadn't listened. It didn't matter, the video of Ares was my one masterpiece yet and the bid on him was already through the roof, and once I finalized his sale, I would earn the respect I had lost along with the money wasted in organizing the auction.

But I had to stop the killing spree if I wanted to reign for a long time unrivaled. I couldn't afford to make too many enemies, especially now that my little sister and Hayden were still on the run. They could be planning god knows what and I wouldn't be aware of it until the last moment.

I couldn't underestimate Lexis, she had killed her father without blinking an eye, even tho she did break down in the end, but that didn't mean she wouldn't kill again if she was pushed to the wall. She would see my act of trying to take her life as a betrayal and would try to get back at me. I knew how her brain worked, she was probably off somewhere scheming her revenge.

"We are already struggling with the fifty percent return rate and now you're raising it to sixty. How are the other family supposed to run on such low income" Loretta complained, her gaze cutting toward Vito for support, but Vito just kept his gaze fixed on a spot on the wall. "Are you just going to let him run us into the ground, why are you not saying anything brother?".

Gerald LeVert, one of my dead father's best friends who worked for the family and had gotten the status of family member cleared his throat. "That's enough Loretta. Whatever Ryland takes from us, it is just to ensure that everything runs smoothly. He is Don now, we should trust his decisions" he said, his gaze cutting to me and I gave him a nod. Threatening him to be on my side before the meeting had worked. Having the majority of the members agree to my demands was the only way I could get what I wanted diplomatically.

"Trust his decisions?" she murmured snidely. "Of course, you'd say that, what else could I expect from the likes of you"

Alejandro stood up, his hands banging on the desk. "I think Loretta has a right to be worried and complain. Alvarez promised us before his demise that he was going to find a way to reduce our turnover, and Jade assured us that it would be implemented once she took over, so this sudden increase is a shock..."

The glare I shot him made him shut his mouth, but it didn't take the challenging look in his gaze away.

It was Jade again. I kept hearing her name at every turn I took, whether it was at the mansion or during important meetings. She always found a way to infiltrate every conversation I had.

I thought I'd erased her for good from their memories, but she was still there, constantly cropping up to ruin whatever plans I had. I was always getting compared to her even though she was dead, even tho she wasn't ever going to be in the picture anymore.

"Alejandro, show some respect!" Vito roared, rising to his feet.

"Show some respect. Where is his respect for the family? His father died and he took over without even waiting for him to be buried properly. His two sisters are missing and he doesn't show an ounce of concern for their whereabouts, and he's been making enemies in all directions." He directed his gaze at me, contempt rolling off every pore of his being.

"Even the cops are now all over our asses just because you wouldn't listen to advise, not from Vito and definitely not from your consigliere because you think you're all that".

The sound of my gun going off and a bullet lodging into his skull made everyone in the room go quiet, the shock on their faces morphing Into a look of agreement that passed from one person to another as they glanced at each other.

I didn't care what their plan was but I had heard enough of all they had to say.

Vito looked disappointed but I didn't care. I'd kill the whole family if I had to. My gaze raked over the assembly of men and women.

"Does anyone has anything to say to me, any more complaints I need to address"?

Loretta's eyes darted to the corpse and she kept her mouth shut.

"Good, then I believe you all have given your consent to the new raise. I expect all payments made on time. Any delay and the defaulter pays with his head"

They all stared at me, grim looks on their faces. "You may all leave" I dismissed, hating each and every one of them for making me feel incompetent. Was there nothing I could do without the use of my gun? "And take your dead cousin with you".

They went about getting rid of the body monotonously, and soon they were all gone except for Vito and Leonardo.

"That was not a very wise move. You should have reined in your anger until the very end".

"What's done is already done uncle..."

"But that was not the plan. You are making a lot of enemies Ryland. Soon the family is going to get fed up. They'll team up and try to have you killed"

"I know that which is why I already have some preventive measures put in place. Let's just say anyone who even plans to backstab me, won't make it past the planning stage".

"And about Lexis and Hayden's situation. It's been two days already".

"I have some men on it. It won't be long before they are found. Their car was sported at the entrance to Etral forest. I'm sure I'll hear news of their death soon".

Vito took a deep breath and waved Leonardo away. He looked toward me and I give him a nod of consent. He left without a word.

"What is it Uncle. Do you also want to turn against me".

"You saved my daughter's honor, so you have my support until the end".

I grinned. "So if Jade miraculously showed up, you wouldn't connive with the family to make her the new Don".

"Why will I do that when you're such a charismatic leader? You Ryland are going to do amazing things. You are going to be the greatest Don. You just have to learn to value family more than you do now because family is the only people that have your back. They are your blood amigo."

"Well I would treat the family as a family when they treat me as one, but as long as they choose to stand in my way, then I'm left with no choice but to destroy them just as I would my enemies".

"But... "

"No buts uncle, that is just how it is. As long as you're loyal to me, then you are my family, anything short of that, and I would not hesitate to think of you as an enemy. Are we clear".

He stared at me, his gaze severe as he took in my unyielding stance. "Crystal." He answered, then walked out of the conference room, his shoulders stiff and a calculative look on his face.

The face of a man who planned to betray me. I could see it, I could feel it but it was only going to end for him in disaster.

Simone walked into the room and I glanced at him, already feeling bored of him always showing up without making any progress.

"Did you find my little sister, or are you here to make excuses".

"I didn't find them, but I found someone else who might know where they are".

I laughed. "Might? You're not even sure of your sources. Tell me, Simone, what Is your purpose in this organization, because the way I see it, you haven't gotten anything done to warrant you being allowed to breathe".

Simone held my gaze. "I have done every job to the best of my ability, sir. The Etral forest is not within our jurisdiction and we've already lost a good number of men in that forest, we're trying to be more cautious In our approach this time".

"I see. I see. Then pray that this little mystery person knows exactly where it is Lexis and Hayden are hiding or else" I tsked, letting my gun do the talking.

"I understand, Boss".

"Where is he or she. I want to see this person that knows where Lexis is and yet won't speak up about it until they meet me".

Simone tapped on the door twice and it opened. A young lady stepped in.

She was beautiful, her skin a pale yet rosy color. She was clad from her head to foot in all-black attire and jewelry and she looked enchanting.

Her eyes roamed over me, an appraising look in her gaze but the words that came out of her mouth didn't quite match her fierce-looking nature.

"You need to run for your life, Ryland Alvarez. You need to run or you'll lose your head once the sunrises tomorrow."

I stared at her, waiting to catch the joke or whatever it was she was playing at, but the dead serious look in her eyes made a bad tingle race up my spine in premonition.