Page 12 of Die for You

Gianna has manipulated every situation to suit her and to control her own daughter. She is worse than I ever imagined.

Angered, I slam my fist onto the hard desk, seething.

How can someone be so fucking evil?

The door opens, and Bria pokes her head in. I slam the laptop shut because I don’t want her to see any of this. No one can.

If she notices my strange behavior, she doesn’t let on. “It’s time to go.”

Looking at my watch, I realize she’s right. I have been in here for hours, lost in Gianna’s web of lies.

“Everything all right?”

“Peachy,” I reply, unable to keep the irritation from my tone.

She doesn’t push.

We make our way toward the garage, where we have our pick of luxury cars. I decide on a black SUV.

I fired Aldo’s driver because I intend to keep my circle small. I don’t trust anyone, and every man and woman has to prove themselves. If I suspect they’re a rat, well, there are no second chances. This is the only way to gain respect.

Bria is quiet. But it’s clear behind that silence that her mind is deafening.

Bria was brought into my world for a reason. I’m not one for coincidences. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here. The fact she was stealing her father’s drugs and selling them for a profit helps us out. No one can know she was stealing, however, because this would reveal weakness on Aldo’s behalf and portray Bria as disloyal.

But she has the knowledge that I lack, and we need that to succeed.

I don’t care why she was stealing from her father. That was another life ago. Now, both of us must leave our old selves behind and rebuild to stay alive.

We pull into the old chocolate factory where I first met Aldo—seems fitting.

The nefarious scene is set in this derelict neighborhood because anyone who enters these streets doesn’t want to be seen. We mind our business and don’t cause any trouble. It’s a code that works because, like every person here, we’re all delinquents.

We make our way into the crumbling building, and it surprises me to see a lot more men than anticipated. Word has spread, and it seems we’re under the microscope.

Tonight is a test for us all.

We’re being closely scrutinized and sized up. Some men nod in respect, while others snicker among themselves at the two kids who are supposed to take over from a man who was respected and feared. Our reign will be challenged by those who think they’re superior.

Or by those who think they know better because of their age.

But little do they know that the shit I’ve lived through and the things I’ve seen make me feel a thousand years old.

And tonight, I’ll prove that to them.

I don’t carry any weapons because anyone can assert their authority by waving a gun around. No, I intend to gain respect the old-fashioned way—through fear.

Bria and I stand before a group of about thirty. The chatter dies down when I simply wait for them to shut the fuck up.

I eye each man, assuming each one is a foe, not a friend.

“I don’t care who you once were,” I commence with. “Or the part you played in Aldo’s business. Aldo is dead because he was careless. He died because he led with his heart. Love makes you weak.”

Gianna’s teachings are correct when it comes to war, and I hate that I sound like her, but I was taught by the best.

Bria stiffens beside me but doesn’t speak.

“Lesson number one: If you are vulnerable, your enemy will exploit that for their gain. You are all disposable. Don’t think you’re special, because you’re not. I will replace you with some other chump who has something to prove. No matter how determined you are, there is always someone hungrier, someone who will betray their own grandmother for the only thing that matters in this world—money.