“She will be initiated when we get her back,” The Omen adds. “Donovan’s girlfriend is expecting. It is time for Malia to take her role, while giving him the peace of mind he needs to raise his child.”
I snort.
“And you believe Malia won’t think you’re handing it over to her because you feel bad for not protecting your goddamn daughter? I hope she laughs in your face and leaves you with nothing and no one to take over for you.”
No longer able to listen to any more of The Omen’s bullshit, I stalk out of his office. There’s no point in sticking around now that I know Deavers gave us nothing to work with and I’ve stated my intentions.
Nothing about what The Omen said sits right with me. Sure, he was always planning on giving her the company, but I’ve seen the love she has for her father when she spoke about him. It was a fucked-up game and, if we don’t get Malia back, she’ll die thinking she was never good enough. I can’t accept that.
10
Nathaniel
Liamstormsfrommyoffice and I blow out a frustrated breath. I have to admire his loyalty to my baby girl, but if he had listened to my full explanation on why things had to be the way they were, he would have understood better. Throughout the years I have let down a number of people close to me because they think I have lived my life trying to prove myself to a dead man. A man who stuck to the code of The Olin Empire since we were arming men in Birmingham.
I have been a stickler for the family code, with the exception of the misogyny, and flawed by dedication to my word, my honor. It seems even that is not as concrete as I try to believe. But how do I gain the trust of a man who was convinced for most of his life that I am the enemy? In a way, I am now his ally, though it only comes down to my devolution to the woman he loves.
And why should I care?
If I do not have my word, then I have nothing. I built my reputation around my word, using the breaking of others’ vows to force my hand and exert my dominance, to wield my power. Now here I am, breaking my last promise to my best friend by ginving his son permission to marry my daughter. Breaking a written decree within the family code by letting my daughter stand at the head of my business.
Some men really are weak-minded, and I do wish my father was alive to see Malia take her birthright. Rules are meant to be changed, even broken. The world and society evolve, as should rules, even if they are written in blood.
“Your mind is heavy, brother,” Elijah says, stepping into my office. “It’s written all over your face.”
I hum. He honestly has no concept of the cyclone circling my brain at the moment.
Elijah rounds my desk and pours us each two fingers of whiskey, handing me my glass and leaning against my desk beside me.
“Lion says Liam asked for Malia’s hand in marriage,” he says, sipping on his drink.
“He did,” I respond. “I gave him my permission.”
“And my son probably told him to eat a bag of dicks and it wasn’t happening,” he sighs.
“More or less,” I say through a smirk. “Not those words exactly, but it could be seen as implied.”
Elijah runs his free hand down his face and huffs a laugh.
“Surprisingly, Malia welcomed Akila much more easily. I imagine that has everything to do with the Turner charm having a way with the Olin bloodline.”
He gives me a knowing look.
“Marcus will lose his mind if he finds out Malia means so much to Akila already. Akila is a calm girl, analytical in the way you are and Alya has always been. She lost her head nearly as bad as Lion when they found out about Malia.”
“Marcus can suck my cock for all I care,” I sneer.
Elijah chuckles.
“Bitterness doesn’t look good on you, Nathaniel.”
I grunt in response, downing my drink in one gulp.
Four years I had Alya Turner. Four years during which I planned a future with the girl I loved. Until a month before I turned eighteen, when my father announced I was to marry Tawny on my birthday. I held onto Alya until the very end, but I eventually let her go, and let my dreams of a normal life walk away with her.
Alya moved to New York and, as my luck would have it, she fell into the arms of Marcus Lorenzo, Elijah’s second in command. I was already spiraling out of control by then and it just sent me further into the deep end of my own personal hell.
Marcus and I have never seen eye to eye, what with me being her first love and an important part of Alya’s past and him being the man who got everything I wanted. Sure, I might be bitter, but the only good that has come from this life I did not want is my children. Seeing someone else flaunt everything you could have had flaunted in front of you for years will do that to you.