Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“What did you speak to the DeLuca Family about?” I frowned. “And who are they?”
“Who are they?” Simon chuckled.
Others joined him.
“Of course. You’re too young to know about the DeLuca Family.” Simon gave me a sad smile. “They represent the top Italian Mafia family not only in the United States but in the world. They have soldiers and captains scattered all around the globe. It’s as close to world domination as one can get.”
Everyone’s eyes remained on him as if he was the true Chairman.
I spoke, “Then, you definitely didn’t have the authority to contact the DeLuca family on behalf of the Killer Crows.”
“Yes, Chairman.” Simon nodded. “However, in my great care of comforting you during this loss, I held a separate board meeting and we all voted that I could contact them.”
My voice cracked. “You all held a meeting without me? Without any Jones present?”
“Your grandmother was here.” Simon gave a warm smile to her. “And all know that if there ever was a true Chairman that it would be Mrs. Jones.”
Really, grandma? You go to this secret meeting and not tell me either? What about Family over Everything?
I didn’t know if I could trust anybody anymore.
And now I understood why there was a bunch of Italian guys checking into the Obsidian Hotel. It all had something to do with Simon.
I kept my expression blank, but my hands gripped the throne’s arms hard. “And what was decided and how is this connected to the DeLuca Mafia family?”
“Very interesting question.” Simon walked around the horseshoe heading my way.
What the fuck is going on?
Simon got closer to my platform but didn’t step on it. “Your promotion to the Chairman position came at a rough time. It’s a huge responsibility that someone so young should not have to take on.”
“I’m fine with the responsibility. I was born to sit in this chair.”
Simon leaned his head to the side. “But were you born to sit there?”
Executives muttered to each other.
My stomach twisted into more knots of anxiety.
Simon continued, “Honestly, the only reason why you’re sitting there is because your brother and sister are dead.”
My broken heart shattered.
“Romeo and Chanel were actually taught and trained by the Board to assume this position.” Simon shrugged. “You were not.”
I rolled my eyes. “Being that they’re dead, perhaps the Board should have left them alone.”
Several Executives grumbled. Simon smirked. Rue widened her eyes. Dane frowned. While, Merik waved his machine gun as if taunting me to give him the order.
And my grandmother scowled.
Oh go fuck yourself.
However, one Shareholder on the wall named, Roscoe loudly laughed and took a chug from his paper cup. “I see right now. This girl is going to make things interesting.”
Well. . .at least I may have his vote if shit goes down.
Simon shrugged. “The Board trained Romeo and Chanel well. There’s no correlation to our training and their deaths. However, their trust in the Syndicate was what truly resulted in their deaths.”
“I disagree. That has—”
“Killer Crows must pull out of the Syndicate.” Simon faced the Board. “There are no ties to the North, South, or even East anymore.”
What the fuck?
“This year, we are putting in moves to separate and strengthen.”
I waited in shock.
Whatever Simon had orchestrated with the DeLuca family would be a part of his idea of getting me out of here as well as getting rid of the Syndicate. But I had no doubt that whatever this deal with the DeLuca family was it would place me between a rock and a hard place.
Simon smiled. “As you saw with Chanel’s marriage to Pedro, the leader of the Coffin Cheaters, there is great strengthening in marital contracts.”
Oh. Hell. No. Why are we talking about marriage?
Simon pointed at me. “We are now considering this same strengthening marital contract for you.”
My heart pounded in my chest. “Marriage? I’m 21 years old. Is that a necessary discussion for right now?”
“You are too young. It is true. I feel so sad for you.” Simon shrugged. “I want to add that you are never forced to sit on that throne. You may resign from your position at any time.”
Grandmother stared at me with pleading eyes as if begging me to hand over the throne to Simon. Or maybe it was my imagination. Surely, she didn’t think I was embarrassing the family and her that much.
Simon spoke, “Kashmere, you’re so young and with your whole life ahead of you. There’s so much you can do. Honestly, you should be traveling around Europe and taking selfies of yourself to show all your friends.”
“I’m fine.”
“Why I bet you would make a great Instagram model. Is that what they call that nowadays?” He glanced at his son.
Grinning, his son nodded. “IG models make tons of money twerking their asses.”
A few Executives chuckled.
“I would like to get back to the main topic.” I frowned at Simon. “After all that’s occurred with Chanel, you want me to marry?”