Page 72 of Destroyer

“Good. Not will he come without muffins.”

I'm not disappointed as the car appears on the drive and Porter climbs out with a tin in his arms.

“Come in.” I bounce to the door and welcome them both inside. I take the tin and head to the kitchen. “Daddy the muffins have arrived.”

“And the head of the cartel who holds our future happiness in his hands?” Caeo puts my enthusiasm in perspective.

“Porter and I can walk I garden while you-”

“No. You need to hear what Knox has to say.”

“Fine.” I take the tray of drinks and walk carefully into the living room where our guests wait.

“Sit down, Nico,” Knox orders.

His tone suggests I'm in trouble. I suppose I am after staging a four-clan coo.

“I am sorry for all I did.”

“Nico, you are our new blood in charge, opening up a prosperous new future for all of us. The four families have agreed to you as the family's king.”

“I am the supreme overlord?”

“Well, we need to give your title some thought.”

“I thought we did all this to stop the uniting thing from happening.” I don't understand what they negotiated. It seems to be exactly what we wanted to prevent.

“Having the Russians between Turnbridge and us was an issue. Having the Russians with us just makes us a formidable force.”

“You all negotiated for Nico to run four families?” Caeo frowns, standing behind me with his hands on my shoulders.

“No. We all agreed that Nico was the one thing that united us. We're going to work together, but supreme overlord isn't going to be an actual role. We can all run our own business and talk with the other families.”

“Oh, you need translator? I am translator.”

“Actually, the one thing we all agreed on is that you never need to work again.”

“So, I do get what I want out of this?”

“Yes. You and Caeo. I'll have Zane working with me, Gregory is going home.”

“Not do I understand.” I need this spelt out clearly. “My dream to not be used for information for the family comes true, and I get a house, money, warmth, and Caeo. I get to keep Caeo as my own.”

“To hear a boy of eighteen describe his dream as food, warmth, shelter and not killing breaks me, Nico. No one deserves this more than you.”

My head is spinning more than it was when I woke up with Michael. This is more than I can handle.

Caeo slides into the seat beside me, and I turn into him. I need him to turn these feelings into something physical.

Caeo puts a muffin in my hand, and I nibble at it, but somehow it has lost its taste.

The whole lunch is the same. I eat it but I don't enjoy it.

“Did anyone ask you if wanting this is what you want?” I question him, too full of food and sleep to handle this anymore.

“My dreams are very different to yours. I want a boy to love and cherish. I want someone to look after and care for.”

“But you will get bored.” I don't want to steal this man away from everything he wants in life. He's lost his job and it’s all my fault.

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