Page 4 of Titan

Well, fuck them. If I’m going to do this, I’ll make sure I remain on top.

“Do we have to?”

I’d already spent more than enough time around them during our mother’s funeral. They were far too loud and in your face. I’d never felt comfortable around them, hence why I avoided going to see the other side of the family unless it was strictly necessary.

“Yes. If we’re going to make this work, then we need them on board.”

I shrugged and dropped my arms.

“Fine.”

“I’ll let you know when they’re expecting us unless there’s anything else you want to ask me?”

There probably was, but it could wait. There were a million things I needed to think about and achieve. First and foremost was bringing the men in line before things went tits up. It was a real possibility. I’d deal with the older ones first. If they followed me, the rest of them would get with the program.

“No.”

Zayn gave me a nod as if dismissing me. I walked away towards the door and opened it.

“Gil.”

I paused but didn’t turn around.

“Thank you… for agreeing to this.”

“You left me with very little choice.”

“You always have a choice. If this isn’t what you want…”

I raised my hand and gripped the doorframe.

“What I want is irrelevant.” I turned my head slightly. “I’m a Villetti. This is what we do. It’s all I’ve ever known.”

I didn’t give my brother a chance to say anything more. Dropping my hand, I left his office and shut the door behind me. I didn’t move away from the door, staring at the blank wall in front of me and let out a breath. What I’d said was the truth. All I’d ever known was the mafia. It was all I was good at. Zayn didn’t understand that part of my life because he hadn’t wanted anything to do with it.

Gennaro Villetti had turned me into an efficient and brutal killer. One who wouldn’t hesitate to deal with any threat to keep us on top. I wasn’t sure if that was the way I wanted to run things going forward, but if I was going to get the men to follow me, I had to be the man they’d always known. The silent but deadly son. But I wasn’t the son any longer. I was the leader. And I would make sure I was an efficient one.

I’ll try, anyway.

A quiet gasp to my left had my head turning. Standing just inside the double doors that led to the private rooms of the club was a woman. I narrowed my gaze on her, taking in her straight, light brown shoulder-length hair, blue eyes, and slightly tanned skin. She was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, but as it was the middle of the day, I wasn’t expecting anything else.

I know you…

“Hi,” she said in her soft little voice that made my palm twitch.

The last time I’d seen her was months ago when I’d visited the club on one of Zayn’s special nights. It had ended in disaster and him having a right go at me over stabbing one of his patrons in the hand. I hadn’t regretted it. As far as I was concerned, the fucker deserved it after touching this girl. She shouldn’t be harassed by anyone. This was her place of work. Zayn took their safety seriously. It’s why I’d intervened in the first place. His bouncers had seemed busy. I didn’t want it to escalate for her sake.

She stepped towards me, her hands flexing at her sides.

“I didn’t get a proper chance to thank you for what you did.”

She didn’t need to thank me. It was the right thing to do. I didn’t like being given praise or compliments for being a decent human being.

I was surprised she even remembered me. She must’ve seen a lot of people in this place between now and then. I wasn’t anyone special in the club other than being Zayn’s younger brother. It wasn’t as if I came here very often either, but perhaps that would change now I was to be head of the mafia.

When I didn’t respond, she came even closer, staring up at me with curiosity in her eyes. Being close to strangers made my skin prickle, but I didn’t want her to think I was being rude, so I didn’t move.

“You’re welcome…”

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