Page 50 of They Will Burn

CAMILLA

My fingers flex around the steering wheel of Crew’s black BMW. I’m not sure why I gravitated to this car when I was given the pick of the litter, but maybe I just wasn’t ready to give up his scent after I left his office.

I swallow heavily as I stare up at the high-rise building my father did so much of his business from, a building that I grew up in.

From the outside, it looks like an investment firm, and it is for the most part, but there are many facets of our business that aren’t on the right side of the law, and truthfully, I know more about them than I do our legitimate assets.

I pull my phone from the center console and smile at the texts that await me. I’ve never had anyone to worry about me before aside from Chloe, my nanny-turned-housekeeper. I guess my father cared in his own way, but he always wanted me to be able to take care of myself. He threw me into situations I wasn’t ready for so he could prepare me for anything.

Crew added me to the family group chat when I was leaving and told me in no uncertain terms that I’m to keep them updated every half hour or they’re coming for me.

Kovu: Be careful, Little Lamb. As much as I’d love to slaughter your whole family, I’m a little busy today.

Bishop: *eye roll emoji* Can we get through one day in this chat without talks of a mass killing?

Kaos: Where would the fun be in that?

Kaos: Are you there yet, Princess?

Crew: I’m with Kovu on this one.

Kovu: FUCK YEAH. DADDY CREW’S NEVER ON MY SIDE

A giggle slips from my throat as I type out a quick message to let them know I got here okay, but the smile falls the moment I shove the car door open. As happy as I may be on the inside, I need to show the world the cold, ruthless version of myself I spent my life shaping myself to be.

I chose to park on the street despite how hard it was to find a parking space . Something about being in the underground parking garage felt off today, and I’ll always trust my gut when it comes to safety. It’s never led me astray before.

I make my way past the front desk, my cold eyes daring the receptionist to tell my uncle I’m on my way up, but I know she will. She thinks he’s her boss, and I’ll allow that illusion to stick while it’s convenient for me. I don’t know the first thing about running a Fortune 500 company, and it feels wildly out of my wheelhouse seeing as I never even had a chance to go to college before my life imploded on itself. Lucky for me, I have more than one option to run our legitimate businesses.

The elevator ride is quiet, and I use the time to check my phone to see if any of the guys have replied to me.

Crew: Be safe, Little Menace.

I allow the smile from his words to remain on my lips for a few seconds before clicking my mask back into place.

The doors slide open, and I’m met with the blue eyes of my father’s old assistant. She’s behind her desk, and she gives me a small smile, but I don’t miss the way her shoulders sag slightly at the sight of me. Scott and Michael are idiots, so I’m not surprised she’s happy to see someone with some level of competence walk through the door.

“Camilla,” Bonnie greets me as I step toward her desk. Her chestnut hair is pulled into a neat bun on the top of her head, and her slightly too-big clothes have my brows pulling together. She looks like she’s lost weight she couldn’t afford to lose. She’s only a few years older than I am, but she was my dad’s assistant from the moment she finished high school. Perhaps his loss is weighing heavily on her.

“Bonnie.” I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. It’s a practiced smile that matches my mask perfectly. “Is my uncle or cousin in? I was hoping for a word.”

Her eyes flash with something I don’t recognize, but I shove down my concern. She won’t be working for them for much longer if I have it my way, and I’ll make sure to check in on her after I leave. “Of course. They’re in your father’s office.”

I thank her as I stroll past the two large meeting rooms before the floor-to-ceiling windows I spent so many years gazing out of come into view. But instead of spotting my dad behind the desk, it’s Michael, a glass of whiskey perched on the edge, and I barely catch my eyes before they roll. It’s ten in the morning, but he’s been an alcoholic for as long as I can remember, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“Good morning,” I greet them as I walk into the room, not pausing until I’m standing beside Scott, his dark hair so similar to my own styled in thick gel that makes him seem decades older than me when in reality it’s only six years that separate us. “You’re in my seat, Michael.”

He glares at me but makes no move to leave the large leather chair. “I don’t think I am. The board has voted me in to oversee the company.”

“That was while I was away. I spoke to Andrew this morning, and the board has agreed that, as per my father’s last will and testament, I will step into the role of CEO for the foreseeable future.” I don’t mention that it will be in title alone and that I won’t actually be running the company. Andrew, the company’s chief operating officer and my father’s oldest friend, will take the responsibility of keeping the company afloat while I’ll be the public figurehead and run the less savory sides of the business.

He was relieved as hell when I called this morning, telling me all the decisions Michael and Scott have made since they stepped into the role six weeks ago have been making the board nervous.

“You can’t do that,” Michael splutters as his knuckles turn white around the glass he’s got in his hand. “You’re a child. You wouldn’t know the first thing about running a company this size, let alone the other businesses.”

“From what I hear, I’m far more capable than the two of you,” I snap. “I’m willing to allow you to continue to work within the family business, however you will not be in a position of power. It is obvious to me that you are not capable of any more responsibility than my father was willing to give you.”

Scott’s hand comes out of nowhere, and before I can think to fight him off, it’s wrapped around my throat as he shoves me against the wall. Malice shines brightly in his otherwise dull eyes, and I realize if I don’t do something quickly, there’s a very real possibility he’ll try to kill me. “Listen here, you little cunt, just because your daddy was the boss, it doesn’t mean you get to step into his role.”

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