Page 35 of The Grim Reaper's Wife

“Callahan,” I grunted.

Jericho wasn’t an enemy, in fact, he was the closest thing to a friend that I had. We basically grew up together since both of our fathers had been allies and longtime friends. And even though we ran two separate enterprises, it could be considered one as our loyalty knew no bounds.

He smirked and turned his head to Mia, “And you must be Mrs. Galdur. So very nice to finally meet you.”

He offered his hand to her allowing Mia to place her delicate hand into his own and kissed it.

Mia smiled, “Nice to meet you as well, Mr. Callahan.”

“Call me Jericho. It’s reserved for friends,” he said, granting her a wink.

Jericho was a charmer. That’s what he did. Unlike me, he could charm the pants off anyone or anything and then slit their throats like they meant nothing to him. He had many fooled but not me, I knew what hid behind that bright smile.

With one last nod to us, he turned his sights to Silas and Elizabeth while Liam began to work the room, always itching to steal another politician or someone he deemed of use to us.

Silas and Jericho got along well, probably better than me and Jericho. Maybe because those two were one of the same, hiding the vile things they were capable of with the whitest smile.

I led Mia further into the hall until we got to the bar and ordered us both glasses of champagne.

Standing with my wife at my side, I sipped on the mere sparkling-flavored liquor as my eyes scanned the room. As usual, the hall consisted of prime ministers, delegates, diplomats, and mob bosses- an interesting blend.

It was almost comical, how these people, who believed themselves better than us, depended on our criminal enterprises to fund their careers and lifestyles.

Suddenly, Liam was in front of me with the country’s prime minister, Jefferson Knwick. He was an upstanding man, but he found out quickly that it wasn’t who sat in that office that ran the country but the underworld where I resided as king.

“Mr. Galdur and …” he said as his eyes trailed to Mia’s ring.

“Mrs. Galdur,” she said sweetly. He nodded at her and then fixed his attention back to me.

“Nice to see you here this evening. I was just speaking to Liam about my bid to run for prime minister again which I’ll be announcing within the coming weeks. I’m hoping that I’ll have your support.”

I felt a tug on my sleeve, causing me to turn my head to my small wife.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” she whispered as the men looked at her as well.

I went to place my glass on the counter to walk with her when she stopped me.

“You don’t have to come with me. I’ll be fine,” she said, her soft eyes staring at me.

I grunted, but caved, “Jason will go with you,” gesturing for Jason to follow her. As soon as she was out of my sight is when I tuned back into the previous conversation promising my support for his upcoming campaign.

“Thank you, Mr. Galdur. I’ll be seeing you,” he said, raising his glass before walking back to where he came from as Liam stood next to me.

“You should be more like Silas and Elizabeth. Enjoy yourself.”

“I’ll enjoy myself when I’m dead,” Liam said, his voice never faltering.

I chuckled. Liam was my cousin, but I swear he was a brother to me. His diligence and loyalty was a key factor in my organization. It was the reason I could sleep so well knowing my family was not the enemies I needed to mind.

My light-hearted mood didn’t last long as the ball was interrupted by a rowdy entrance by the one and only Alexsei Banrov and his entourage.

Of course, Jericho told me that he offered him an invitation, but I didn’t think the mutant would take a rest day from his mission to avenge his father’s corpse.

My eyes trailed him as he walked around the room. He seemed to be a promising lad, but his latest antics showed that Ilya’s influence had already rooted itself in his personality.

Silas and Elizabeth joined mine and Liam’s conversation once they were done laughing it up with Jericho, tearing my eyes away from Alexsei.

“Elias, I want to come to the next ball,” Elizabeth said to me as she ordered a glass of champagne. I turned to the bartender and told him to give her a mock cocktail instead.

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