Page 105 of Midnight Wedding

“We gave you clear instructions,” Levon says, swirling a bottle of beer in a slow circle. “You accepted our offer.”

“I ended the war.” I meet his gaze coolly.

“You set up a ceasefire. It’s not the same thing.”

“We’re going to argue fucking semantics?” Tigran asks, sounding angry. “That’s why you brought us here.”

“Enough of this.” Narek sneers again. “Arsen, you did well to get as far as you have, but it isn’t enough. You’ve lost the faith of your family. It’s time to step down.”

He stares at me, lips curled. Levon’s showing nothing but disdain. My cousins look like they want to run the fuck away, and I can’t blame them. They’re only here as muscle for the uncles, but they’re goddamn cowards.

Slowly, under the table so nobody can see, I draw my pistol.

I wait before I speak. I let them stew in what they just said. It’s no small thing, to depose apatron, and even worse that they’re trying to do it without blood. I don’t know why the fuckers think they have the right.

“The war is over,” I declare and bang my fist once on the table. “You may not like the way it’s ending, but it’sover. Garen will lose without Sona. They both know they’ve been outmaneuvered. It’s just a matter of time.”

“Time is the one thing you don’t have,” Narek grunts.

“Don’t you fucking get it?” Tigran gestures around the table. “Garen’s been stalling. He must know about this deal you all agreed to, and he thinks he can run out the clock. He probably figured whoever takes over for Arsen will be very amenable to a quick and beneficial deal.”

“Maybe Garen’s smarter than you give him credit,” Levon says.

“And maybe you’re weaker.” I lean toward my uncles. “I fulfilled my half of the bargain. I will not step down.”

They exchange a look. The moment is deadly silent and filled with promise. Narek’s cigar smokes in slow curls and Levon stops rolling his beer bottle.

“Nobody wanted this,” Levon says.

Narek moves first. He throws his cigar at Tigran’s face. My brother curses and falls backward, swatting at the glowing embers.

I shoot first. Bullets rip into the quiet space. Levon screams in pain as I fire into his belly, knocking him backward. Narek’s roaring with rage as he draws his weapon, but I manage to shoot him twice in the leg. His answering shots go high, smashing into the ceiling.

I’m up and vaulting the table. I land on the other side, boot crunching down onto Levon’s throat. He gags, his hands scrambling at his bloody guts. I twist my ankle, crushing his windpipe. His tongue lolls out, his face turns purple, and he twitches like a dying fish.

I put two bullets in Narek’s chest and one more in his skull, blowing it to bloody chunks.

“What do you two think?” I ask, aiming at Sevan and Razmik. “Do you see much daylight between a ceasefire and a truce?”

“Not me,” Sevan says quickly, shaking his head. He’s pale and trembling.

“I couldn’t fucking care less.” Razmik’s holding his hands in the air.

Neither of them went for their guns. That’s a good thing.

Tigran’s cursing and stomping on the cigar to put it out. “Fucking prick,” he snaps and kicks the table aside. “Got ash on my goddamn shirt.”

“You’ll survive, brother.” Blood leaks all over the floor. It’s a real mess, but at least we’re surrounded by cleaning agents. “Cousins, swear loyalty.”

Both instantly drop to their knees. “Patron,” they say in unison, heads bowed.

I look at Tigran and he nods.

“Spread the word of what happened today,” I tell them. “Make sure everyone understands. The war is all butover, and I will not tolerate dissent. Narek and Levon made their choices. I won’t hesitate to treat any other traitors the same way.”

“We understand,patron,” Sevan mutters, staring at the floor. “We’re on your side.”

“Good. Get the fuck up. Go find some guys and clean this mess up.” I kick at Levon’s corpse and shove my gun back into its holster.

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