Page 31 of Deviant

“And you think you can get ahead of this?” I ask.

He nods. “With you as Chapter Lord.”

Jesus, this is happening. He actually means it. It’s hard not to revel in the thought of it, of having that much power. Of having that much authority. God, the things I would change. The thingsI would do. My mind drifts to Conrad and Devin. Being Chapter Lord would help them, would help us. We’d be the leading family then. We’d be unmatched, unrivalled.

And we’d also put a massive target on our heads.

I grin at the idea. Wouldn’t it be fun, to truly have a fight, to truly feel danger? God, the adrenaline rush alone from such a fight would be worth it.

“So you agree?” Antonio asks. “If Turner is removed…”

“How?” It’s not exactly an easy thing to achieve. It’s not meant to be. The only reason Turner became Chapter Lord was because the old one died in such shocking circumstances we all had to move quickly to maintain calm. To simply put Turner aside now will cause a riot.

“That’s none of your concern.” Antonio says. “As long as you trust me enough…”

His words fade out as my thoughts focus on that; trust. Do I trust him? He’s never been an enemy, but he’s never been an ally, either. Could he be the one behind this, pulling the strings, setting me up for failure and using my own greed to hang myself?

“Let me do my job, Magnus. And in a couple of months, you will have it all.”

He holds out his hand like an offering, an agreement. I have no cause to question him and yet, if he is up to something, I can take my own steps, I can ensure me and my brothers outlive it.

We shake, both of us crunching the other’s knuckles, and as he’s shown out, I stay there, mulling it over.

But this is proof, isn’t it? This is more proof that God favours me, favours our family. It’s not like I really need it, I mean, you don’t get to where I am without God on your side. You aren’t just granted honours like being a Blake, being a reaper, just because you go lucky. Things like that, they’re bestowed on those who are worthy. Those who deserve it. Men like me.

With a satisfied sigh, I take a final swig of my whiskey and mull my future over. Just because my path is God-given doesn’t make it any less taxing to achieve. And besides, if I’m going to do this, I will need to tighten my ship, I need to protect my assets—starting first with the loose cannons.

I pick up my phone, scroll down quickly, then hit the dial button.

“It’s me,” I say as the line picks up. “Put him on.”

There’s a momentary pause, a shuffle, and then I hear the phone handed over.

“Devin,” I say and my brother grunts down the other end. He was never much of a conversationalist before, but this last year has done nothing to help that.

“I have a task for you.”

The silence tells me he’s listening.

“There are some loose ends I need sorted.” I state. “Do this, clear the way, and you can come back.”

“How many?” my brother asks, already understanding what I’m not saying.

“Fifteen.”

Fifteen people I need eliminated. Fifteen people I need to disappear. Not all of them are technically a threat right now, but they could be, given the right incentive and I’m not going to let that happen.

“I want her back. That’s my price.”

I let out a frustrated sigh because, still, the man is obsessed with her. It’s been five years. Five fucking years.

“She’s not worth it.” I state.

“To me, she is. Give me Paitlyn. Give me her, and I’ll do what you want.”

It’s the most the man has said in more than a year. It’s hard not to react, not to lose my patience entirely. “Dev…”

“Give me Paitlyn,” he all but screams down thephone at me.

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