Page 79 of Mafie Kings

Evie James fails Cosa Nostra

Before her arrival on the Island, Evie attempted a challenge that was clearly over her head. She begins the challenge by showing us that the only way she can steal a car is by flirting with the owner. She then reveals to us how to commit a sloppy murder and cover not only your new one-of-a-kind car in blood, but also yourself. If we have not learned enough skills at this point, don’t worry, there’s more. She wraps up by disposing of the body in a way anyone would be able to find just before she gets caught covered in blood. In order to escape she crashes the car into the water off the side of a cliff, barely escaping alive.

Evie is a fine example of why this institution was originally created. We need to be taught to hone our craft. How to properly steal a car, how to commit a clean murder and cover it up without authorities getting involved, and how to outmaneuver police. We also need to learn obedience. When to kneel and who to kneel for.

The Kings are a fine example of what you can learn to accomplish at this school because they have spent their lives dedicated to perfecting their craft. They don’t resort to dirty fighting moves when they get backed into a corner, they use strategy and finesse to set an example as the leaders they are.

Remember, the Cosa Nostra does not like failure. The crime syndicate is only as strong as its weakest link. Stay vigilant and study hard so that one day, you’re not an embarrassment to these organizations.

When I finish the article, I attach the video to it and set it up to release at 0800 tomorrow. If everyone is going to see me fail, they sure as hell will see her fail too.

I feel like I can breathe knowing that I’m one step ahead of Evie.

I start making calls as the high from handing out a punishment begins to fade. My father made it clear that it was my mission that went wrong, so it is my responsibility to speak to the families. I would have insisted I be the one to do it anyways.

By the time I finish the last call, I decide I’m incapable of handling any more emotions today. I head to the suite, taking the weight of all of those deaths with me. Eight men, who all had families. Who I grew up with, trained with, and then trained myself. I go right to the bathroom, and grab my medication. I know I won’t be able to sleep without help. One Xanax and sleeping pill later, I hope both of them together will put me in a comatose state for the next eight hours.

I need to not feel for a while. I need it all to go away. As much as I want to stay awake, with the Shades waiting in the shadows, at this moment I can’t find it in me to care. They can come and take me in my sleep. Maybe then the people in my life would be able to find a way to have peace, without me. My head crashes onto the pillow, my eyes closing before I can pull the covers over myself. In that one small moment before sleep overtakes me, my mind experiences a second of peace, and I want nothing more than for it to last forever.

???

I wake up at seven-fifty in the morning. That’s the longest I’ve slept in years. Those pills really knocked me out. My mouth feels dry, my tongue sticking to the roof of it. I smack my lips together and take a swig from the water bottle on my nightstand. I mentally prepare for the day as I sip my drink. I want to be there and see her face when the video is released, but it looks like I’ll be a little late.

I get out of bed in a rush, throwing on some sweats for our combat training class first thing this morning. Once I’m dressed, I grab a cup of coffee to go and head to the food hall. On my way, my phone dings with the email alert. I open it immediately, ready to see my plan unfold.

I skim the article, loving how it paints the Kings in the light and her in the shadows, beneath us. In her place. When I click on the link, I’m almost to the food hall. The link opens, and the smug smile on my face disappears immediately. The video goes directly to Evie on her knees while Giovanini degrades her.

What the fuck?

I exit the link and try it again, hoping that something went horribly wrong. The video starts over and I nearly crush the new phone in my hand.

Who the fuck would mess with that? Who knew what I was even working on?

I reach the food hall and yank the door open, searching for Lev and hoping like hell he can take this down. However, all I see is Evie and a girl standing next to her in all pink, holding out her phone.

Fuck.

Chapter 37

We are all sitting at our table in the food hall while Damien curses about how fast Lev and I were on our group run. Lev and I start laughing. That is, until Laney walks up to me with an odd expression on her face.

“What is it?” I ask, worried something happened with her family.

“You need to see something,” she says, her head down like she’s afraid of me.

“Okay…” I say, drawing the word out, “What is it?”

“Not here.” She shakes her head. “Maybe just come with me?” Her voice is low and weak.

A weird feeling tightens my stomach as the room grows silent. Eyes flicking from their phones to me. “What’s going on?” I ask Laney, looking at Lev and Damien as they remove their phones from their pockets. I left mine in my room, knowing I’d need to change before class and not wanting to have it on the run.

“Please,” Laney says, “please just leave with me.” She reaches out her hand, but I shake my head. I don’t run away from problems, so whatever this is, I plan to face it right now.

“Show me,” I tell Laney, authority lacing my tone. “What the fuck is it?”

She just shakes her head as she pulls out her phone. She clicks on a link in her email under what looks like an article from the school. The second I hear the sounds coming from the video I know exactly what it is, and when Giovannini starts talking, all the color drains from my face.

I never thought I’d want to cry, vomit, and scream at the same time ever again, but as my hands start to shake, I feel like I’m going to break in front of everyone here.

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