Page 11 of Heartless Sinner

“You’ll all report to Micah starting next month for all matters to do with the company.” Papà’s voice is as commanding as always but I sense a note of sadness. Not for me, but because he’s going to miss being the don. He’ll be retiring and heading back to Italy with my mother to take care of other business but it won’t be the same. “By the summer, he’ll take over entirely.”

Everyone agrees, but no one speaks. Instead, they look at me. Some with loyalty. Others—like my uncles Mario and Gio—with resentment.

Positions are inherited in our family, so I was always going to take the lead, but I know they despise that.

Although they hold notable positions in the company and manage the finances and clientele, they hate that they’ll be my subordinates.

“I’ve spent the last thirty years ensuring we dominate the diamond trade, both in the mines and in the marketplace. I expect the same diligence from all of you. Especially you.” Papà makes a point of looking at me with those sharp eyes that never miss a beat.

Sometimes I wonder if he’d choose me if he had other options. He calls me his pride, but not a day goes by when we don’t bump heads.

I nod once and steeple my fingers in front of me as I lean back in my chair. “You have my word that I’ll give more than my best, Don Delarosa.” I call him that like everyone else out of respect.

He holds my gaze for a beat before the light of hope shines in his eyes, a sign he’s pleased with my answer.Good.At least he knows I mean what I say. He also knows that the only other person here who works as hard as him to build our empire is me.

Papà’s gaze sweeps back to the others. “This company will heavily rely on the rest of you as we diversify.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, brother,” Gio states proudly.

“I need you to work together,” Papà says, his tone accusatory. He knows working together is our biggest problem. Because we don’t.

“We will.”

“Good, because our plans to expand our reach to real estate and investments will take us to another level. A life beyond diamonds.”

That’s all thanks to me. Another thing my uncles are jealous of. A quick glance at their stern faces and steely stares confirms I’m right.

Years ago, I teamed up with my best friend, Jaxon Bortsov, to spread our wings in the investment market. We both became billionaires off the backs of our own businesses.

When my father saw how well we were doing, he wanted in. Especially because it levelled us up in power at the high table of the Creed.

The Creed is a council of twelve crime lords and their subordinates who pledged by the Blood Oath to live by a set of laws to share power and wealth. Those laws have bound them for over fifty years.

Our family have been members of the Creed since the Oath was made. We’re one of the two Italian families on the council and part of the highest-ranking members at the table. Members of our family, like Brahm, have also served on the Creed’s enforcement squad.

The Delarosa name has always been great, but I want to take us to the next level of success without setbacks and dissentions in my family, so I’m glad my father is laying the foundation with his expectations from now.

“Are there any questions?” He looks around at each of us.

“When will the rest of the leadership be chosen?” Mario asks. He wants the current position of underboss I hold.

Papà drums his fingers against the smooth wood of the table. “That is up to Micah.”

Once again, they all look at me.

“I’ll make the decision by the end of the month,” I inform them.

The only person who seems satisfied with my answer is Brahm. Because he’s the only person here who doesn’t want to be part of the leadership.

Until a few months ago, we thought he was dead. But he’s like the crow. A man back from the grave with a one-tracked mind for revenge.

Sadly, for me, he’s the guy I want to choose to be the underboss. He would be perfect for the position. Apart from working with me in the company, I trust him completely, but Brahm has other things on his mind.

“Very well, then.” Mario speaks in a stiff tone.

“If there’s nothing further to discuss, we can wrap things up for the evening.” Papà glances around the room.

“Nothing more from me,” I say, and everyone else agrees.

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