Page 117 of Mafie Queen

I remember she was trying to get ahold of him one evening for dinner and nearly cussed him out in a voicemail. She felt bad when she noticed I overheard the call and told me that if I were ever in a relationship that I should never ignore a phone call.

At the time, I thought she was being dramatic, but now I know better. I will never miss a call from my girl as a result of that conversation. Other memories of him isolating himself with his work now becomes apparent. I assumed it was all related to our organization, notThe Societythat governs every organization.

“Why are you just now telling us this?” I try to stay calm, but I think he can hear the betrayal in my voice.

“It is part of the oath that I took. I could not share that information. You know all members must keep their identities hidden.”

“I thought The Mafie Society was supposed to govern together without appointed leaders?” Evie says, puzzled.

My father nods. “They do for the most part. I am the tiebreaker in votes. I also organize everything that happens in the background. I set up meetings, gatherings, and broker deals between rivals so that we can all open trade routes. I run parts of the island when it is open for university. I also have the power to take out a member if they break a rule.”

“So you’re stepping down from both positions?” Lev asks.

“I am. I want to give the Bratva to Alexi.”

I shake my head. “I already had the papers drawn. If I take over, power will be split between the four of us evenly.”

“Four?” Evie asks me, and I mentally kick myself for forgetting to talk with her about this too.

“I had papers drawn up if you want to join as well.”

I reach for her hand. When she allows me to take it, I can take a breath. “You can be one of the first women to ever rule over the Bratva. Maybe we will even get you a throne.”

She smiles at me, one of her devilish looks coming out to play. I know she is thinking about our last encounter with a throne. For the first time ever, in a serious discussion with my father, I find myself distracted and uncaring about what he has to say. All I can see is her.

My father clears his throat though, effectively killing the mood.

“You didn’t think we should talk about that first, Son?”

I shrug, pulling Evie’s chair closer to mine so I can feel her warmth pressed up against my leg.

“No, it does not concern you.”

“How would the future of the Bratva not concern me?”

“Because it is the future, Father. You are the past once you step down.”

He huffs a sound of annoyance, but Evie’s hand traces up my leg under the table, and once again I am distracted.

“Can I speak with Evie alone, please?”

That catches me off guard.

“Why?” My tone is suspicious.

“I don’t know if she’s ready to be alone with you,” Lev adds in.

Evie scoffs at us. “Get out of here. I can handle myself and we all know it. I’ll give Alexi my knife if that makes Boris feel better, but the three of you can leave.”

I draw in a deep breath, trying very fucking hard not to lose my shit with her ordering me around. She leans in and whispers just for me to hear.

“Leave now, Batman, and I’ll let you punish me when we get home.”

My hands relax almost instantly and I stand to exit, but not before leveling my father with a glare.

“You should have told me. However, I understand why you did not at the time. We will discuss this as a family and get back to you with our answer on how things will move forward.”

Lev and Damien seem to agree, so I turn to walk out of the room with them on my heels.

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