“What do you mean? Do you know something?”
“I just know my men. They don’t feel like I’ve sufficiently tested you yet. They aren’t happy with our arrangement when they’ve worked for me their whole lives, and I’ve only known you for a few weeks. They think you’ll fail. And they want you to fail sooner rather than later.”
I frown, although I already knew that’s what I was risking by inviting them here. But I had no choice, especially after the latest attack. The only reason we haven’t been attacked again is because of them. If we weren’t protected, anyone who was watching us would know Hayes, Gage, and Beckett were injured. Ri is pregnant, and Rialta can’t protect herself.
If it wasn’t for them, we’d all be dead by now.
But it is strange that the men haven’t tried their own shenanigans. They haven’t tested my authority at all. For the most part, they’ve done exactly as I’ve asked. I know that it can’t last, though.
“Thanks for the warning, but I’m prepared to handle any tests from your men.”
“See that you are.” And then the phone call ends.
I pocket my phone as I check in on Gage and Hayes. Hayes is sleeping for once, and Gage shoos me out. It’s not the time to talk to them.
I step back out of their room and then text Gage to be ready for anything.
I walk the short distance down the hallway back to my apartment, and I feel the gaze of every man on guard in the hallway. Almost all look like they’d rather kill me than protect me. I know the feeling. I don’t trust any of them, either.
“Are you in charge, or is she?” Andrea says, blocking the door to my apartment.
I’ve made it a goal to learn all of their names as quickly as possible. Gage has been sending me reports on all of them. Andrea is young but has raced up the ranks quickly, mainly by challenging his superior and then gaining the support of the others. Vincent didn’t care about infighting as long as his orders were followed, but I’m wondering if that was a mistake.
“You dare to question my authority?” I say.
Andrea squares his shoulders. “Yes, I think you are pathetic. I don’t think you’re ready to become a crime lord. You can’t even control Rialta. And you were kicked out of the Retribution Kings. You won’t last the year.”
He’s probably right. I don’t expect to last the year. But I’m not going to tell him that.
If I was Vincent, I would kill him or punish him for disobeying me. But I’m not Vincent. I’m the heir, not the king yet. And if I were to kill one of Vincent’s best men without talking to him first, he’d probably kill me. Plus, sure, it would make the others fear me, but they wouldn’t respect me. It would only make them hate me more.
I need a move that would make them respect me like they respect Vincent. I just don’t know what that is yet.
I keep my cool. I don’t let Andrea shake me.
Instead, I smirk slowly and deliberately.
“And you think you should be the heir?”
He grins viciously. “Yes, I’ve earned it.”
I nod and step toward him.
He flinches ever so slightly, assuming I’m going to hit him. Shoot him. Kill him.
But I’m not Vincent.
I grab the door handle behind him and push the door open to my apartment.
I shove Andrea out of my way, and then I yell out, “Rialta, come here.”
I don’t add, please, and I don’t ask her. I tell her.
It’s a risky move, but I know Rialta won’t fail me. Call it a gut feeling.
Rialta strolls through the door a second later.
“Andrea here thinks he should be Vincent’s heir instead of me. He should be your husband instead of me. What do you think of that?”