Page 59 of Vicious Addictions

If everything goes according to plan, by the time the sun rises, I’ll be more than just part of The Firm—I’ll have marked my claim as heir apparent.

Of course, that doesn’t mean they’ll accept me.

Even if I do everything right, there will be plenty in attendance waiting—hoping—for me to fail.

“Are you sure that you’re good?” Remus repeats, his gaze piercing, searching for any sign of hesitation or any crack he needs to seal before we walk out that door.

I meet his stare and lift my chin. “More than good. I’m ready.”

A slow, knowing smile tugs at his lips.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

“Then let’s do this!” Rolo practically howls, clapping his hands like a man who can already taste the blood in the air.

Before I can react, he pulls me into a tight embrace from behind, his voice dropping into a low murmur against my ear.

“If any cunt so much as nicks you, they won’t be alive in the morning.”

A chill runs down my spine because I know he means it.

“Rolo—”

But before I can talk some sense into my vengeful cousin, Remus stands there, waiting for his turn to hug me. He wraps his arms around me, and with a calm yet razor-sharp voice, he says, “Don’t let them catch you. But if they do, make them regret it.”

He then pulls away, and I just stare at them side by side for a minute.

“You know if this all goes well, one day you’ll be taking orders from me,” I caution, trying to gauge their reaction at the possibility of me becoming their boss.

“Don’t we already?” Rolo asks in confusion, only to become winded when Remus shoves his elbow into his gut.

“We wouldn’t want it any other way,” Remus affirms, reminding me why I love them so much. “This is your birthright, cousin. No one could ever take your place.”

“Fuck, no! You got her all teary-eyed and shit!” Rolo grumbles, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Get it together, Mina. Those fuckers out there will be ruthless with you tonight. Remember, just because we’re happy to have you lead us doesn’t mean they are. To some of those assholes, a woman’s place in The Firm is either on her knees or on her back, servicing them.”

Remus nostrils flare while Rolo gives my shoulders another squeeze to drive the point home.

“Make sure to show them that the only bitch here is the one they look at in the mirror every morning.”

I shake my nerves away and repeat Rolo’s mantra inside my head. Once I feel ready to face everyone, I let out a slow and measured exhale and reach for the door handle.

The moment it turns, the world beyond my bedroom—the safe, familiar world—will be gone.

I will no longer be Mina, the boss’s daughter, but the aspiring new addition to The Firm.

I pull the door open and take a steady step outside.

The hallway is dimmer than usual, with the golden light at the end acting like a beacon, pulling me toward it. Remus and Rolo flank me, their presence solid and steady.

From this point out, they won’t utter a word to me, not that I need them to.

I know what’s in their hearts.

That’s enough.

Our footsteps match as I walk down the long corridor toward the grand staircase filled to the brim withmade men, soldiers, and the most prestigious associates of the Firm.

The closer I get, the more I feel the air crackle with anticipation. A low murmur of voices echoes from below, deep and weighty with expectation.

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