Page 101 of Fierce Monarch

“I already did.” Maybe a small part of me had still been desperate for Joaquin’s approval, one that had spent the last few years hoping he’d change his mind and agree that I was the right choice to lead. That part of me died when he did, thank god.

Gabriele hummed, leaning back in his chair. “He never was my favorite.”

The feeling was mutual. Joaquin had never trusted Gabriele because he’d married into the life, while Joaquin had been born with a bloody spoon to his lips. But Gabriele had proven the only useful uncle I had so far. He had been the first to tell me about the capos’ plans to usurp the throne and put a man on it, even before Dominic. He’d kept his distance, acting like an informant would to let me know Joaquin was getting more pronounced in his wishes to end my reign. Ally or not, Gabriele was a fair man with a firm grasp on loyalty. One I trusted as implicitly as I could right now.

“Who’s going to replace him?”

Dominic cleared his throat. “Actually, I’ve got a good idea about that if Cameron isn’t interested.”

Since most positions were passed down among the family, my cousin would likely take his father’s place as a capo, but I was curious to hear who’d won Dominic over in such a short time. “We’ll discuss replacements in a few days. The men will need time to mourn.”

“Of course.” Gabriele looked at the body uncomfortably before turning back to me. “You know there are traditions…”

“I’m aware.” The words were harsh, and I immediately fought to soften them. “I need to tell Cameron first.”

“He’s still sedated,” Greyson said behind me. “We’ll have to do it tomorrow.”

Tomorrow evening would be the wake. Gabriele was right; traditions had to be upheld or I risked whatever power I’d snatched from my uncle’s cooling hand. So tomorrow, I’d wrap my uncle as I’d done my father and brother, and then I’d burn his shell to ash.

“We’ll tell him first thing in the morning.”

Gabriele got out of his chair with a groan and rounded the table to clap me on the back. “Tomorrow, then. Don’t forget to lay him down, or you’ll have a bitch of a time with the shroud.”

“I won’t. Goodnight, Uncle.”

“Goodnight.”

I let Dominic and Greyson lay Joaquin’s body on the floor and remove his clothes before we locked the door and went for the elevator. Tennessee and Moore would personally move the body to the freezer downstairs, but for now, Joaquin would lie there nude. It was petty and undignified as fuck, but it seemed like the least I could do.

We were all exhausted since I knew none of us had slept in days. Grey and I hadn’t felt right resting with Dominic in jail, even if he was only in custody for a handful of hours. We clung to one another as we made our way into the penthouse, where I had to grab Dominic’s arm to keep him from dropping onto the couch.

“What now? I just want to sleep.” His groan was borderline whiny, and it made me smile for the first time in days.

“You’re disgusting,” I said frankly. “Go wash off the stench of jailbird, and then we’ll go to bed.”

“Only if you come with me.”

I nodded, ready to get my hands on him so I could confirm he was really okay. Plus, I still needed to get a look at that wound. Turning to Grey, I asked, “Are you joining us? The shower fits six.”

His grin reminded me that he already knew that. “I’ll take a shower in my room so you two have a minute.”

“Are you sure?” Grey nodded, and I pressed up on my toes for a long kiss. “Thank you. I promise we’ll have time alone soon.”

Grey squeezed my hips with a smile. “I don’t mind waiting. There’s a lot going on.”

That was true, but I didn’t need him feeling neglected. “Meet us in bed in fifteen?”

“Sounds good.”

I yawned as I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the water, knowing Dominic probably had gone for some clean clothes. My shirt was halfway over my head when Nate spoke.

“Mari.”

I spun with a curse, only to see Dominic haul Nate to the wall by the throat. If I looked up rage in the dictionary, the way my boyfriend looked at the other man would be right there. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“I came to check on Mari.”

“Bullshit.”

---