Page 38 of Vengeful Union

Fuck.

I can’t deal with this shit right now. I need to make sure she’s alive and unharmed. After that, I’ll deal with everything else that’s coming. I have a feeling I know who’s behind it all, and if it is him, not even God can save him from what’s coming for him.

15

Destiny

"You look better," Uncle Conrad says to me as I step into the kitchen. “Are you hungry?”

I shake my head. No, I’m not hungry. What I want to know is what's going to happen next. "Have you spoken to my father?"

Levi shakes his head. "As soon as we found the video footage you sent of what that bastard did to Aunt Jasmine, we went to his house, but he’s gone. Then we spoke to Drake. He's worried about you.”

I close my eyes and sigh in relief. If they’ve spoken to Drake, that means he’s not with my father. At least there’s someone we can trust. “I’m glad he’s not with my father,” I say. That's a betrayal I don’t think I could recover from. My father’s yes. Drake’s no.

“Destiny,” Levi says, coming to stand beside me. “We need to know who else has seen the footage.” His voice is gentle, but I hear the underlying anger running through it.

“No one,” I say as I move to take a seat on one of the stools at the island. I thought it would hurt to be in this house, but the longer I’m here, the more I feel my mom. This was her family home and now it’s mine. It’s bigger than the house I grew up in but feels more like home than I could ever have imagined.

“I needed more evidence to prove the shit he did so that when the time came, his men wouldn’t stand beside him.”

“Just what are you saying, Dest? Who’s going to take over the Carter Syndicate when the men rebel?” Conrad asks.

I slide my gaze toward Levi. He’s the most level-headed guy I know. He can kill without a second thought and not let it affect him, but at the same time, he’s grounded. I know the power would never get to his head. He’d also have Conrad by his side.

Levi and Conrad were a huge part of my life growing up. They loved my mom and she them. Every holiday they were at our table having dinner. We spent countless weekends hanging out and having fun. Uncle Conrad ensured that he was a part of my life and his son also. But then Dad lost his mind and the relationship we had simmered, but I knew they were the only ones I could go to with the information I had.

Levi’s deep brown eyes widen as he stares at me in shock. “Me?” he questions. “Are you serious?”

I turn back to Conrad, who’s watching our interaction. “Do you know anyone better suited?”

My uncle’s smile is full of pride. Father and son are so similar, the only difference is Conrad has blonde hair like me and Levi has his mom’s jet-black hair. “No, there’s no one better to take over than my son.”

I nod in full agreement. “Mom would have wanted it to stay in the family. After all the money she put into the legitimate side of it as well as the illegitimate, she’d want you to do this.” I know that wholeheartedly.

Levi sighs as he takes a seat on the stool beside me. "Are you sure about this?"

"The question is, Levi: do you want this?" I ask. If he doesn't want to take on the role, no one is going to force him. If he doesn't, I'm not sure who to trust to take over.

He doesn’t even hesitate. “I want this.”

I smile, proud that he’s willing to stand up and be recognized. We all know this isn’t going to be an easy or smooth transition, but all the knowledge I have of the dealings my father has been part of, should help.

“The more men we have on board before James realizes, the better,” Conrad says. “I know there’s a lot who hate the man, but they also fear him.”

“They’re the ones who are to be watched,” Levi tells us as he sits straighter. “They fear the bastard and wouldn’t hesitate to tell him just to gain more security.”

“So, we approach those we can trust.” I turn to my uncle. “Do you still have men inside the organization you trust?”

He nods. “I have about ten who hate your father and only stayed because of you and your mom.”

“You talk to them. I’ll talk to Drake. If anyone can get more of the men on our side, it’s him.” It also means showing him the evidence I have against my father, and it’s something I promised myself I’d never watch.

“Dest,” Levi begins, reaching out and taking my hand. “This is going to be hard. It’s going to hurt us all. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“The man wanted to sell me. What do you think?” I reply with a scowl.

I’ve told them mostly everything. How my father killed Mom, about the affair she was having with Drake—something that didn’t seem to come as a surprise to Uncle Conrad. I also told them about the evidence Drake and I found. How he’s working closely with the Russians and has plans to take over Gallagher turf. Not to mention his secret meetings with someone unknown.

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