“I don't fucking think so.”
My eyes move to the man opposite me, who has a stale look on his face.
“The Hayes have made a mess of things for far too long!”
I side-eye Carmella as she calmly lays her manicured hand down on the table in front of her.
“I assure you all that this business will be stronger than ever when we're back on our feet.”
The man continues while leaning forward and stares at Carmella with evilness before speaking sternly.
“It's time to give it up, Carmella! The Hayes are fucking done.”
I just stare at him, Carmella’s agitation becoming apparent in her raised voice.
“The Hayes will never be fucking done.”
“Your son was fucked by a fucking pig, Carmella; when are you going to realize that the best Hayes in power was Charles?”
My jaw tenses, and I feel rage begin to bubble up inside of me.
“You're going to make a fucking mess just like your waste of space, son!”
When he calls Arlo exactly what that cop did, I don't hesitate and reach into my pants before drawing out my pistol, targeting it, and firing a bullet into his skull without delay.
As he dies in front of my eyes and collapses forward onto the table, blood flowing from his forehead, I hear pistols being cocked back, reverberating throughout the vast space.
I aim my gun around the room, peering into each and every one of their eyes as they aim their weapons at me, before I speak through clenched teeth.
“Who else wants to talk shit about my fucking husband?”
Suddenly, one of the elites who isn't armed raises his hand calmly, with his eyes set on mine, and they all lower their firearms. I keep my pistol pointing forward as they all take their seats, and the man relaxes back, his ankle across his knee, his eyes analyzing me, and his chin raising.
“You've got some fucking balls, girl.”
I just stare at him, remaining utterly silent, and he smirks.
“I never liked that fucking cunt. What's your name?”
I raise my chin as I respond.
“Wren Hayes.”
As he leans forward, he gives a nod before glancing around at all the men, but all eyes are on me because my gun is still drawn.
“I fucking like her!”
When he looks at me again with a big smile, I raise an eyebrow while speaking coldly.
“Good, because I am now the new boss.”
Ienter Arlo's office and gaze around before closing the door behind me. I've been spending a couple of days a week here lately, trying to get a sense of the Elite world since my first meeting three weeks ago.
I take an apprehensive step forward until I'm behind the desk and take a seat gently in his supple, leather chair. As I feel small flutters, I relax and swing back and forth while caressing my bump with my hands. When we're here, it's as if she knows we're near her dad.
The last few weeks have been bizarre; one minute I didn't want to get out of bed and would cry all day, and now I'm stone cold, my emotions are dull, and I desire to venture out more.
Cree has begun school; his fourth birthday was a few days ago, and we made it as special as possible for him.