Page 54 of Taking Over the Dark

“First and foremost, he doesn’t want to see Zamir happy, and that’s exactly what he’s been since he’s found Ellie and Nash. All of you were just the additional happiness he didn’t know he needed.” Alex smiles genuinely at Zamir before he continues. “It all started after that game. All the kissy-kissy in the endzone with Nash and then looking up at the stands, blowing kisses to Ellie. The camera panned over right on her face, and it was over from there. There was no way to stop him. Even my dad couldn’t talk any sense into him.”

“I don’t understand parents who don’t want anything but the best for their children, but then again, I do. That’s exactly how my mother was, but in a more conniving way.” I can tell everything with Zamir’s dad is making her think about her own mother and how a parent could cause harm to their kid.

That’s how mafia families work, especially if you leave or try to. You’re never really out of this life, and it will haunt you until it eventually swallows you up to your death.

So, my motto has always been to lean into it and use the money, power, and status to do as much good as possible.

Nash asks, “So why Andrei, and how did they get into contact with one another?” That question shouldn’t have me smiling but it does. I’m so goddamn proud of him. He was so fucking scaredand timid when we first got ahold of him, and now he’s at the table asking questions that we really could use the answers to.

Alex answers Nash without hesitation, “The Russians have always been into trafficking, and Vito had his contact if they ever got desperate enough or needed something that other leaders would never cross the lines and do.” He pauses, looking pained. “Vito and Agron have been planning your takedown for a while, Zamir, but you stayed quiet out here. We were compiling the evidence and planning to take my father out, and I think one of the guards we foolishly trusted went behind our backs and told him our plan. That’s when I called you, letting you know he was here in Vegas. They knew having Ellie around would, in turn, bring them even closer to being able to take down Marcello’s empire, too.”

And that right there is my biggest fear. I knew this would put Ellie in danger of being used as a pawn for someone’s gain.

Noah cuts in, “Come with me, Arben, let’s go and try to figure out where this piece of shit is.”

They’re up and heading to Noah’s hacker cave down the hall. I need them to find Agron. I don’t want his slimy ass in my goddamn city anymore.

It’s all hitting Zamir as he explains, “I feel like I should be shocked by all of this, but I’m not in the slightest. I knew he hated that I left and got out of the life, but I never would have thought he would come after me and my loved ones like this. He has, and he will continue to, clearly. He sent his incompetent fuckers to the practice facility trying to kill Nash and me a couple of hours ago.”

Alex nods, agreeing, and I ask him, “Who’s side are you on, Alex? And can we trust you to take over in Chicago when we kill Agron?”

I need to know if he’s with us or against us. I’m fucking tired of these people coming after us nonstop, but that’s never trulygoing to end when I’m running one of the biggest cities that’s known for it’s gambling, sex, and drugs.

Alex assures me, “You can trust me with Chicago, Marcello. I’m not stupid enough to make you an enemy, and if you have Zamir’s love and approval, then you have mine as well.”

I tell Zamir, “Go through the donor list with Noah and pick out our lucky winners. Oh, and let Doc know he needs to sleep while he can, he’s about to have a full harvest tonight.”

In a gleeful tone, Zamir admits, “It does make me feel better that at least his organs will do some good, even though he did so much bad in this world…”

I stand from my chair, holding my arms out. “And that right there is why I do all this. One piece of shit human parted out to help people all over the U.S.”

Vin takes Alex to one of the spare rooms, locks him in there, and tells Noah to do the same with Arben once they’re finished for the night.

Only Nash and Ellie are left with me. “Does anyone want a drink?”

They both say “yes” simultaneously, and I’m over at the bar cart pouring whiskey for the three of us. I drop two of Ellie’s sleeping pills into each of their glasses, swirling the amber liquid around, and walking it over to them. They’re quick to down the whiskey, and I shoo them off to the bedroom.

We have to get a plan in place to find Agron, but first, I will have some fun with my favorite people.

Finally, I walk through the door of my little apartment in the warehouse and make my way to where I know Ellie and Nash will be laid out.

Our bed.

Nash is sprawled out beside her, passed the fuck out too. Their little snores are the best sounds to hear at the end of a long day like this.

Zamir walks in behind me, crossing his arms. “You didn’t.”

“I did.”

“My dick shouldn’t be getting hard at these ideas… but first, what does your crazy ass have planned?”

I love that he doesn’t think I’m fucked up for liking this and is always down to participate when given a chance. “Let’s get them undressed and see if they’re actually knocked out.” I know they’re out cold, but I’ll let him think that we won’t be able to have any of our brand of fun tonight.

In between the two of them are a bunch of toys and lube. I think they made a pit stop in my playroom before finally making it in here and passing out.

They better be glad they didn’t pass out in there… we could’ve had a lot more fun.

I pull Nash’s shirt off first, then his sweats and boxers quickly follow. I bend his huge legs up to the sides, and what do I see greeting me in his pretty ass?

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