Page 15 of Lethal Vows

“Trouble is what I’m here for. Some of them have had their seats here because of who their families are. Some aren’t worth it, so I’m taking it back.”

“You already have most of it back.”

“Not all. Some think it’s smart to disobey me. Or they try to manipulate it their way.” I drop my head from side to side, cracking it.

“You killed all their bosses…” He pauses. “I think they get the message.”

I press my thumb to my cheek and draw back smears of pink lipstick, almost impressed. I didn’t think the princess would be willing to get her hands dirty.

“What would you do if someone killed me?” I ask.

“I would hunt them down and destroy them,” Dominic replies without hesitation.

“Exactly. Some of these families have been raised with the same values, granted they adapted to the American culture. But family? Well, they believe in that, at the very least. And I just tore it all open.” I’ve been here a few years, taking back our family’s power. Many years ago, before I was born, my great-grandfather sent family here. They settled in New York and were given money to take over the streets and businesses. But somewhere along the way they became greedy and thought they could take over all of it without any backlash.

Little did they know, I’m hungrier for it than all of them combined.

I hold all the titles.

They are passed down through generations.

I was trained from a young age to be ruthless.

And ruthless is what I will be.

Even against a little princess.

CHAPTER8

Rya

Dear Miss Ricci

Do you think you would bite like that in the bedroom?

Reply.

Crue

For fuck’s sake.

Members of the board stare back at me expectantly as I put my phone away. I’ve received emails from Crue since this morning and immediately deleted them. I’ve been in meetings all day. It’s an absolute shit show. With no official manager, other board members have stepped in with how we should manage the press and who should temporarily be in charge.

Now all eyes are on me.

When they offered me the position earlier today, I thought they were kidding. I quickly told them I needed to think about it, which is unlike me. This is what I’ve been working toward and why I’ve become the best. But I also feel uncomfortable at the thought that I only received an offer for this position because ofhim. And killing my boss is nothing I want any part of.

“Did you go over the written statement?” Mr. Luca asks me. He’s only a few years older than me and has recently taken his father’s spot on the board.

“I made a few amendments, and it’s ready to be released.” Officially, it was a closed case by the police, but as a law firm that defends some of the most high-profile criminals, we’re expected to uphold a front. We’ve made enemies before, but little do they know that the specific criminal in question is also trying to put a ring on my finger.Ridiculous.

“So cases will go on as normal, effective immediately,” Mr. Luca announces. “Have Kora’s and Matthew’s clients redistributed to the interns.” Two of our lawyers, who had been at my party, quit this morning, too scared that the very same thing that happened to Brian might happen to them.

My phone buzzes in my pocket again, and I hide my frustration.

I swear to God, if he’s sent me another email…

“Dismissed,” Mr. Luca says, and unofficially, it sounds like he might be the new temporary boss. I collect my files, irritated by my buzzing phone. When I finally retrieve it, I realize that Monica is trying to call again. And like all the other times she’s called, I ignore her. I’m not sure if she knows I know, but I have to calm myself before I talk to her so I don’t pull something my father would do and kill her.

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