Page 80 of Bound to a Monster

If he pulls that trigger, it’s all over.

He looks at my father’s dead body. “You killed him.”

“I took control of this family. You might think you were loyal to him, but that was never true. You’re loyal to the Federov name. You’re loyal to the money we pay you. Now I’m my father. What are you going to do?”

“I was his guard.” The gun trembles. This fucking kid’s going to kill me by accident.

“And I was his son. Lower the weapon. That’s an order. You have a choice to make. Either join me and have purpose, or kill me and torch your life for no reason at all.”

Connor’s face twists in dismay, but slowly, the weapon lowers.

“What do you want me to do?” he asks softly.

There are shouts from the other room. I stride past my new employee and into the entry hall. Adriano stands there with six more Italian killers, all of them strapped and prepared for action, while my father’s guards lurk in the doorways and on the second floor.

Nobody’s shooting yet, which is good.

“Brother,” I greet Adriano and shake his hand.

“How are things here?”

“Oleg’s dead. I’m the new chief.”

Adriano’s smile is grim. “All hail the new chief then.”

I turn to face the remainder of my father’s guards. I can see the skepticism in their eyes, but they must’ve heard Connor’s shooting. They knew something bad just happened, only they don’t know what yet.

“My father is dead. He had a heart attack while working at his desk.” I stare at them, daring them to disagree. Nobody does. “I’m in control of the family now. Lower your weapons.”

“Why are the Italians here?” one man calls out.

“They’re insurance. They’re allies. If you all decide you want to make the wrong decision, my friends here will make sure you change your minds. Do you understand now?”

Slowly, my father’s former soldiers put away their guns.

Smart men know when it’s time to fight and when it’s time to bend the knee. And my father was always good at hiring smart men.

One by one, they come down and hail me as boss, chief, and leader. All the while, I’m backed by Adriano and his men, while Connor and Alex watch from the hallway.

“I want everything,” I tell them and grab Connor by the arm. “All my father’s documents. Everything worthwhile. And he’s going to make sure nothing’s forgotten.”

Connor stands a little straighter. “That’s right.”

“I want the house packed up in twenty minutes. Get moving.”

There’s silence. Then the first of my father’s former soldiers head back down the hall, and the rest of them behind moving.

No longer my father’s. Now they’re taking my orders. Which means they’re mine.

“You have this in hand,” Adriano says softly.

“I appreciate the backup.”

“Should we stay close?”

“For an hour until we’re done here. After that, I can handle it.”

“Good luck then.”

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