Page 144 of Deathless & Divided

“You believe I meant for you to be my understudy.”

“Yes,” Damian said.

“No intelligent man would give away his secret weapon, Damian. Not if he planned on using it without someone else trying to get a hold of it for his own purposes. Clearly I failed in trying to keep mine private if someone else has poisoned your thoughts against me.”

Damian wasn’t even listening. He didn’t care what Terrance had to say and the man’s time was quickly running out. Damian’s time was ticking down, too. He needed to get back to the reception and soon if he didn’t want anyone to notice his absence. The drive was a good twenty minutes from the Trentini place. There was no time for games.

“No one poisoned my thoughts,” Damian said. “But you were terribly smart about infecting them with what you wanted for me. You were doing it slowly over time so I didn’t catch on. You never said a thing about me having control or even suggested that I did, but other people knew it. Other people could see.”

“People like Dino,” Terrance said, nodding.

“More than him. I have calls all the time from your men that want things.”

“Because I’ve never hidden your closeness to me, Damian. I’ve always kept quiet about our understanding of your job in the Outfit but hiding our friendship was pointless. It makes sense for men to turn to you if they think it will get them closer to me.”

Damian shrugged. “Have your excuses. I don’t care.”

“They’re not excuses. They’re facts.”

“They’re lies,” Damian retorted. “Tell me, who do you think would make a good boss, Terrance?”

“I—”

“A name would suffice.”

Terrance’s gaze narrowed. “There are very few men left in high standing that would be appropriate for this position. I think we both know that.”

“Riley is still alive.”

Damian knew without a doubt that statement would hit Terrance right where it fucking hurt. Friendships like the one shared between Terrance and Riley didn’t end easily, but rather, tore apart all the seams of everything surrounding them. All of the things that they had shared and built together over the years during their comradery would be ripped to shreds. Like families, loyalties, and anything else that was left barely surviving in the mess.

“How long will he stay alive?” Terrance asked. “I think that’s the better question.”

“Longer than you.” Damian smiled, knowing it looked cruel. “And if Riley is also out of the pool, who is left?”

“Nobody worthy, as far as I’m concerned.”

“There are men waiting to come out of the woodwork. It’s too bad you’ve been too focused on me to see them.” Damian chuckled. “I’m sure it’ll be an interesting fight to the finish.”

Terrance frowned. “You truly believe that, don’t you?”

“That you were grooming me for your spot? Yes.”

“I never did that,” Terrance said. “It was never my intention to, either.”

“Lying will get you nowhere.”

Neither would telling the truth, but Damian didn’t think he had to mention that. The gun in his hand with a long silencer attached spoke more than he ever could about how their encounter would end.

Terrance slipped off his suit jacket and tossed it over the arm of a leather couch. He said nothing as he kicked off his shoes as well. Damian let the man have his final moments in peace.

“How much has Dino had his hands in?” Terrance asked, taking a seat on the couch. He undid the buttons on the sleeves of his dress shirt and rolled each up his arms. “With this whole mess, I mean. How much of it was him?”

“Practically all,” Damian said honestly.

“But?”

“I helped here and there.”