Page 66 of Chaos & Carnage

“I need to meet with my father’s advisors,” Dante states, blinking as though he’s only now tuning back into the conversation. “They are the men most loyal to my father. If anyone is going to contest me ruling this family, it will be them.”

“What are you going to do?”

At my question, Dante’s eyes dart to mine. “Follow your example,mia vita, and chop off the heads of anyone who doesn’t surrender to me.”

Whoa, how does he make cold-blooded murder sound super fucking sexy?!

“What about those things you said before, about helping rebuild the city?” Cain asks, turning to pin Dante in his tumultuous green gaze.

My eyebrows lift, surprised at Dante’s offer.I didn’t know he’d done that.Maybe there’s hope yet for the two of them.

Dante lifts his gaze to meet Cain’s. “My offer still stands, Cain. Everything south of the river is yours.” He waves a lazy hand. “Do with it as you please. I’ll give you the men and resources you need to restore the city.”

Well, that sounds less promising.That sounds more like they’re going to split the city in two and have minimal dealings with one another. I don’t like that at all.

Cain scrutinizes Dante closely, searching for any hint of a lie. When satisfied, he gives a curt nod, but inside I’m screaming at them. Screaming for Cain to say something more, to offer an olive branch in return. I just want to bash their heads together and yell at them to wise the fuck up, to open their eyes and see the potential here. I know individually they’d do a fantastic job of running their territories, but together… together, they could build something incredible. A city where its citizens thrive and people actuallywantto live.

Oliver can probably feel the tense set of my body in his lap, because he leans in to whisper in a voice so soft only I can hear, “Give them time, baby. They’ll figure it out.”

It settles me somewhat… for now.

Chapter 24

I stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out over the city—my city. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since Sawyer strode through the casino with my father’s decapitated head clutched in her hand, and it still feels surreal.

It should probably feel like a weight has been lifted now that my father is out of the picture, but instead, I feel as though the ground beneath my feet is shifting, and I don’t know how to remain standing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m relieved that my father is no longer a threat to Sawyer, and after what she told us yesterday, I’d happily resurrect him from the dead just to kill him myself. But now everything has changedagain, just when I was finding my footing. I knew it couldn’t last forever, but I found it so easy to fall into a routine at Oliver’s house, surrounded by Sawyer and the guys. Surprisingly easy. Even the barbs tossed back and forth between Cain, Oliver, Lor, and myself turned from hate-induced to playful banter. I’m not saying we had everything worked out or that I didn’t feel jealous of them at times or want to punch Cain in his very punchable face. It’s just that I could see our future in those peaceful moments when it was just the five of us, laughing over dinner or in front of the television.

However, that world isn’t mine, and remembering how at ease Sawyer was makes me yearn to see her that comfortable in my world. Acknowledging that has me realizing that this uneasiness in my gut is mainly fear. Fear that Sawyer won’t fit into my life as easily as she does into Cain and Oliver’s. That she won’t be happy in my world.

When I first dragged her into my life, I didn’t care about whether or not she’d fit in. I didn’t even spare it a second’s thought. All I cared about was keeping her close and making her mine. I never considered how challenging she might find the adjustment, but things are very different this time; more than anything, I want her to be happy.

“How are you holding up?” Lor asks, coming to stand beside me, the two of us looking out over the city.

“Is it odd that now that I have everything I always wanted, I couldn’t care less about it?”

Lor claps a hand on my shoulder. “Sawyer’s changed everything. You’re no longer the same person you used to be, but this is your legacy, Dante. You were born to do this. However, that doesn’t mean you need to rule the same way your father did. Find a balance that works for you. Something that works for the people you now must protectandthat fits with the future you want with Sawyer.”

Swiping a hand down my face, I turn to face him. “What future doyoupicture with Sawyer?”

He keeps his gaze fixed out the window for a long moment before facing me. “When I think of the future, all I see is her. None of the rest matters. Not to me, not to her, and it shouldn’t matter to you, either. Sawyer doesn’t care about money or status. She doesn’t want or need a big house or a fancy car. She’s told us time and again what it is she wants…”

“Us,” I finish. “All five of us.”

He nods, pursing his lips. “Find a way to make that happen, and everything else will work itself out.”

“Boss,” one of my fath—my men—interrupts, “They’re here.”

Pushing back my shoulders, I run my hands down the front of my suit jacket and steal a final glance at Lor. He’s always been my rock, my support, even when I was lost to the darkness and didn’t care to find the light. He’s always been here, pulling me back whenever my father tried to lure me in. I no longer rely on him as much sexually, but when it comes to everything else, I still need him by my side.

My first order of business—besides ensuring there wouldn’t be a revolt—was to name him my consigliere. The position has always been his. My father may have given it to Sam, but I never intended to see that through. It hasalwaysbelonged to Lor. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to do the job or to have my back.

He gives me a confident nod, silently assuring me that I’ve got this, and I turn as the double doors swing open and my father’s closest advisors step into the room. My gaze roams from one arrogant face to the next until I land on Sam. I still remember how he treated Sawyer in Belle Donne, and today he will pay for that misstep.

I’m sure rumors have spread by now about my father’s demise. More than enough people saw his head at the casino, and still, these men believe they are untouchable. My father gave them a lot of free reign. Allowed them to do whatever they pleased, and in return, they’d help him carry out whatever evil plans he had. If it weren’t for Lor, I’d probably have ended up just like them, and a fresh wave of relief washes over me as I watch each of them take their seats around the long boardroom-style table.

They at least leave the chair free at the head of the table, but Sam has the audacity to claim the one beside it—Lor’s appointed seat as my consigliere. Oh well, he’ll soon be vacating it, but not in a way that he’ll like.

Instead of pulling out the gun hidden in my shoulder holster beneath my jacket and pointing it at the back of his head like I want to, I move around to the head of the table and lift the icebox I stored beneath it when I arrived earlier.

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