Page 292 of The Reluctant Hero

“Do you think you have the manpower for that?” Father settles back on the couch as if he is in control of how this is going to go. His two guards are staring down at him with dark expressions he can’t see. Even if he did, I doubt he would care.

“You’ll go back to New York and cut all ties with your children. Publicly. The only person affiliated with you who will be allowed back in my town is Shade’s mother. I’ve already informed her that she will have support here, even if she decides you aren’t worth sticking around for.”

“Who do you think you are to givemeorders?” He laughs loudly, the sound echoing in the room.

Mikael and Ace come in next.

“My Mother’s son,” I acknowledge softly.

It makes his laugh get louder.

“And a Jefferson,” I gesture to the two guards.

“A what?” Father scoffs.

When the guards grab him by the arms and pull him up from the couch, he’s startled. I enjoy the look on his face enough that I wish I had a camera.

I stand, rebuttoning my coat as he blusters through his forced escort from our home. I follow along with my real family trailing behind me.

“Stop shoutin’,” Ace barks in a quiet voice. “Manda’s asleep.”

“Fuck your whore!”

Mikael wrenches Father out of their grip and picks him up. The two guards freeze up, eyes wide at the display of strength. When Mik’s hands begin to squeeze without mercy, I hear a subtle pop.

Ace slides around to his front and starts punching any piece of him he can reach.

“Outside,” Jake reminds them with a happy grin.

Cade pulls Ace away as the front door opens. When Mikael throws him out, he bounces on the grass, staining his clothes.

I turn to Kit and Aspen.

“Make sure he gets back. I want the announcement made Friday at the latest and a heads-up before it airs.”

“Yes, sir,” they reply with broad grins.

“Let the others know they can scatter.”

They nod, descending the steps to grab Father’s biceps. They start dragging him across the grass, grinning at each other like children.

“What the fuck are you doing?” He screams at me, spittle flying.

“Disbanding your current operation. Over ninety-eight percent of your people are now under my employ. The rest will be dead soon. Have fun rebuilding,” I give him a smug smile and flip him off.

They have to knock him out to get him into his damn limo.

“That felt good,” Jake eyes me with a smile.

“It did,” I agree and pull out my phone.

“What?” Shade asks in a resigned tone.

“I got you an early wedding present,” I chuckle.

64

Destroyer

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