AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re going to regret this, Camilla,” Scott growls as he pushes his own chair back, and she narrowly avoids being hit by it.
When she looks up at him, her face is set in stone, and there’s not an ounce of fear reflecting in the stormy pools. “No, I don’t think I will.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
CAMILLA
An eerie type of calm washed over me as I walked into the room, and I’ve been running on autopilot since I stepped over the threshold.
Deep down, I’m not this person. I can portray the cold, ruthless mafia queen I was shaped to be, but I’m not her. Or at least I don’t want to be.
All I really want is peace. But I was born into the wrong family to want that.
I take my seat and lean back with a satisfied smile as I survey each person sitting at the table. Some of the leaders should have retired by now, but they’re too fucking scared to allow their heir to take the driver’s seat. Christopher Knight looks like he should be heading to a nursing home any day now, not running a crime family, while his more than capable son sits on the sidelines waiting for his turn. Miriam Sterling looks more and more aged every time I see her, and that’s with all the plastic surgery she’s had in recent years to combat the aging process.
Leroy Thorne has been handing things to Noah over the last year, the only one of them who is smart enough to realize he can have a life after this. He can hand the baton to his son and retire to an island somewhere, far from bullets and the arms empire his family is known for.
Charles took over for his father years ago after he was killed in a shootout with some out-of-town gun runners he was doing a deal with and is the only one aside from myself who has a long way to go before he steps down.
I glance up at the men of the Syndicate, still standing around the room, but none of them move to take a seat. This is the first meeting I’ve ever attended despite being my father’s number two in every way apart from the title, so I’m not sure what’s customary.
Taking a chance, I meet Crew’s gaze and nod to the seat beside me. “As leader of the Syndicate, it seems appropriate that you’re a part of this conversation.”
His mismatched eyes are the only sign of his amusement as he keeps his carefully crafted mask in place. I have a feeling, aside from the other members of the Syndicate, I’m the only person who ever gets to see beneath it.
Once Crew is seated, I turn to Charles and raise a brow. “You may proceed.”
He’s never struck me as someone who is short of things to say, but right now, he looks as close to speechless as I’ve ever seen him. When he doesn’t reply quickly, I turn to the other leaders and give them a tight smile. “You’ll have to forgive me. I’m sure you can appreciate how hard it’s been being thrust into this role after all I’ve overcome in recent weeks, but would one of you mind catching me up on what was said before I arrived?”
Noah leans forward on his elbows, a smirk playing on his lips. I’ve seen him a few times since he graduated high school a few years ahead of me, but I’m pleased to see he hasn’t lost his personality since beginning to work for his father. The Thornes have always been one of the more agreeable families, as well as my own, and I have a feeling we’ll be working together closely in the future.
“Davenport believes that the Syndicate were harboring you since his men were unable to recover you the day your father was killed, and that due to the contract John signed, that you are rightfully his bride. He thinks that due to the actions of the Legion, they should be removed from their positions and the Syndicate should be dissolved.”
I nod slowly, giving the impression I’m considering what he’s told me, but we already had the gist of it from his call earlier. Crew went over every detail of what he knew on the way here, and I locked it all away to ensure I could respond appropriately.
The key to being a queen is to never let them see you stumble.
“If what Davenport is saying is true, it seems you may need to shop for a wedding dress,” Miriam challenges, and I let out a laugh that surprises her.
“No. I won’t. As I’m sure you may have noticed, my uncle and cousin are not capable of leading the De Marcos, and as is very clearly stated in the contracts the families signed when the Syndicate was established, it is against the bylaws to have more than one territory. Therefore, I can’t marry Davenport any more than you could marry Christopher,” I challenge. They’ve been fucking for years, even if I never want to consider the mechanics of that relationship because I’m certain it would only lead to nightmares for the rest of my life.
She pales, and I turn my attention back to Davenport. “I would like to formally request that the contract you signed with my father be torn up as it is no longer permissible under the circumstances.”
Kovu lets out a snort, and I have to focus not to allow myself to smile. I never would have expected him to be the jokester among them, but I suspect I’m the only one he plays that role for.
“Agreed,” Leroy says. “The De Marco territory going to hell in a handbasket because Scott and Michael don’t know how to run things will be a problem for all of us. I agree that Camilla is best suited to take John’s place.”
“She’s a child!” Miriam snaps, her cold gaze meeting mine. “You have no place taking your father’s place. You’re not capable.”
I raise a brow at her, my head tipping to the side as I consider the old bat. “I don’t think you have any idea of what I’m capable of, Miriam, and I would advise you not to push me to find out.”
“Are you threatening me?”
I chuckle, leaning back in my seat casually. “No. As I’m sure you’re aware, when you’re in a position such as ours, you don’t make threats. Only promises.”
“I agree that Camilla should take the place of her father. Michael will only lead the family to debt, and that’s not beneficial for any of us,” Christopher says.
I glance between Charles and Miriam, waiting for either of them to say something, but they’re going to vote against me, even if they both know I’m what’s better for the greater good, which leaves us at a stalemate.
