Page 10 of Mob Queen

I look to Rome and scrunch my nose. “This is for our people only. No other family is invited.”

Rome takes another bite and slowly lifts his head. “You’re also introducing yourself as the new Don, right?”

“There’s nothing to introduce. I was by Dad’s side from the moment I turned fourteen.”

Rome finishes chewing then sits back in his seat. Mya walks into the dining room and glances between my brother and me. “Ma’am,” she says as she places a plate with bacon, eggs and toast down for me. Mya quickly and quietly exits the dining room.

“What are you going to do with the staff?” Rome peers over his shoulder toward the kitchen.

“The house staff all stay. Mya, Heidi and the groundskeepers all stay. Why?” I snap, irritated with him.

“People will be uncertain right now. You need to show them direction, ensure stability.”

I lean toward my brother. “You wanted out of this life and you got it. You can’t come in and tell me what to do.”

He holds his hands up in surrender. Rome arches a brow while staring at me. “Stop talking to me like I’m the enemy. I’m not here to take over, or push you out, I’m trying to help.” He slams his hand on the table. “For fuck sake, Frank. I’m not the enemy.”

I turn away from Rome to pick the flatware up. I smoosh the fork into the egg to break the yolk before dipping the crusty bread into it. “Sorry,” I say after a long moment. “There’s a lot going on in my head. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

Rome intakes a sharp breath. “Are we burying him in the family crypt?” Thankfully, my brother has let this go.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll get everything sorted so you can keep doing what you’re doing.” Rome wipes his mouth with the napkin and throws it on the plate. He stands and walks over to me. Rome presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Love you, Frank.”

I look up to him and smile. “Love you too, little bro.”

Rome leaves the dining room, and I’m left feeling like a piece of shit because I snapped at my brother, who’s only trying to help.

* * *

The knock on the door distracts me from the figures I’m looking at. “Yeah,” I call.

The door opens, and G enters. “Lidia and Dina have been released from the hospital.”

“Good,” I say. “And what about the two guys who sent my girls to the hospital?”

“We’ve tracked them both down, and they’re at the docks.” G sweeps his tongue across his bottom lip. “What do you want me to do?”

I sit back in the chair as I continue to stare at G, trying to figure out exactly what I want to happen. Do I kill them myself, or have G do it? “It’s best I do it,” I say. G’s brows rise and he tilts his head to the side. “You don’t think I should?”

“Your father wouldn’t get his hands dirty for pieces of shit like them.”

I purse my lips together as I silently play every scenario over. “Has Christian been dealt with yet?”

G shakes his head once. “I’m waiting on your okay.”

“Where is he?”

“I’m giving him a false sense of comfort.” G’s devious smile makes me chuckle.

“Good. Take care of the fuckers who hurt my girls. Make sure they suffer, and as far as Christian is concerned, leave him for now. I’ll take care of him personally after the funeral.” The corner of G’s lips pull into a satisfied smile.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Get someone trained over at Destiny to take Christian’s place once I’m done with him.”

G acknowledges me with a nod before leaving the office.

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