Page 8 of Root

I don’t know if the cars are taking them home, or someplace where their remains will never be found, but it’s time to deal with my cousin, who thinks all this is his. I storm up to the house and find him in the study.

“That’s all mine.”

He doesn’t look at me; he just slides some extra clips into a bag I didn’t see before he throws it over his shoulder.

“There are appointments tomorrow, people to deal with, the usual.” Nikolai comes up and thumps me hard on the arm. “I’m sure you can deal, big man like you.”

Then he just walks away.

Five a.m., I’m dragged from bed to deal with things I don’t understand. “I’ve got school. I’ve got—”

“You’ll need to drop out.” Tony doesn’t look up as he peers at his computer screen. “Do you want to deal with the gun shipments or the embezzler first? Or shake down the money owed?”

I stare at him and half fall into the chair. “Just because I’m the heir doesn’t mean I’m running it.”

He barely shrugs. “Your cousin got handed his walking papers, so that’s exactly what it means. I’ll be back in five minutes.”

I sit. I don’t know what the fuck I’m meant to do. Maybe I’d do better if my mouth didn’t taste like old socks and my head didn’t pound. Screw it; nothing a few pain killers can’t fix. I get up and get ready.

How hard can this be?

Now I know the meaning of dumpster fire.

I pull off the too-tight tie. It really isn’t my thing. Nikolai can pull off elegant businessman and brutal killer; I’m not sure the outfit even matters. I look like a punk ass kid.

Shit.

Nikolai…is gone.

Today went well, but I’m not stupid. I fucking know it was all Tony and Fred-the-Tree who set things straight, dealt with my mistakes, rolled the heads that needed rolling.

Someone taps on the door. Mia steps in, closes it, and leans against it. For a small woman, one who married Tony a few years back, she’s scary. She can cut through lies like a laser, cut a man down until he’s a third his height.

“Are you an idiot?”

“I’m the boss, Mia.”

She rolls her eyes. “Oh, fuck you, Rush. You’re a child. You wasted time today. You put my husband in danger and threw everything Nikolai’s done back in his face. There’s mafia and then there’s mafia, Rush, and you’re playing the bad kind. Spoilt, dirty, entitled. Arrogant. We haven’t spoiled you, or given you a reason to steal or act like you’re owed, so why?”

“Get out!” I’m close to screaming like a child, and she knows it. I can see it on her face.

“Nikolai’s here, getting his things. Unlike you, he’s made of stronger stuff. He’ll walk, and I guarantee that, one by one, people here will peel away and join him. He’ll set up, start from nothing, and take you down.”

“I’m family.”

“Not,” she says, “if you continue this destructive path.”

Mia doesn’t wait, doesn’t look back. She just steps out, leaving the door wide open in her wake.

Okay, I’m not that much of a fucking moron. I know I’m in trouble. Extinction level. Still, I’m not going to let Nikolai know that.

Like he’s going anywhere. I push my way into his room.

He doesn’t look up from the case on the bed. “I’ll be gone soon, so you’ll have your kingdom to yourself.”

My chest goes tight. “I’m not giving you money.”

“I don’t want your precious money. I’ll send for the rest of my things later. Good luck, Rush.”

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