Page 71 of Mafie Queen

“Check the cameras first. If you need a better angle, we’ll get you one.”

Lev hands over a laptop after Havoc tells him the location. When he gives me the computer, I get a perfectly good look at his face.

“Confirmed breach.”

A loud pop rings through the air as I watch the man drop to his knees. A perfect shot straight through his head, and the person accompanying him lifts their hands in surrender. “Have a team take him to a cell downstairs. We will interrogate after.”

The comms we have give us a good range, and we’ve tested them to make sure we can use them in the tunnels that seem to go on for miles.

Damien was only able to find where one of the hidden routes led out to, but it gives us at least one escape should we need it. Everyone that’s already present continues on with their conversation as if nothing happened. They all knew the rules in coming here, and especially the consequences of breaking a rule on neutral ground.

The rest of the attendees file in without any further incident. The crowd comes to a hush as Damien walks to the center of the stage to speak.

“Friends,enemies.”

I should mention we only allowed Damien to speak today because Alexi was too worked up and didn’t want to leave my side after the flashback. Damien claimed he ‘had this shit’ and was going to wing it.

“We are gathered here today to discuss our plan moving forward with The Shades.”

He gestures to me and I stand to address the group. So many familiar faces out in the crowd before me. People I trained with and helped to train sit in front of me. I feel myself growing stronger because of it. They are here to fight with us.

“The Shades have taken a lot from each of us. Not only have they proved that they can and will infiltrate our ranks, but they also tried to come here today on a day of neutrality. They do not care about us or the laws that govern us. They need to be stopped.”

A member stands and someone hands them a mic. “And why should we trust you? You’re not one of us.”

That was not a response I was imagining. I look back at my guys for advice, but it’s Boris who stands.

“Actually, she is my goddaughter. So that would very much make her one of us.”

He places a hand on my shoulder to signify our unity, but other elder members stand to voice the same concern. It goes on for an hour. At this point, I’ve stepped back and sat down. Boris’ support seems to be helping the situation, but I can’t help the feeling of defeat already washing over me.

I didn’t imagine today going perfectly, but I honestly didn’t see this coming. It isn’t until Kia stands and moves to the mic that people begin to quiet down.

“I think all of you have missed the bloody point here.” She eyes everyone carefully.

“The Shades have proven that they can infiltrate every single one of your organizations. Some of you are still trying to recoverfrom the damage they’ve left. And because of us, some of you were able to find and weed them out before too much damage came to your operations.”

Turning around, she gestures to me. I stand up by her side and face the angry elders while their children sit and do nothing.

“Evie has not only fought with us, but she has more of a reason to want The Shades dead than any of you. Ask your children who helped them when things got tough at the University. Ask them who stood by, day and night, to ensure their success. Ask the leaders of the organization how many people passed the trials this year for the first time ever. Every single one of you is alive and thriving because of what Evie and herfamilyhave done.”

She pauses to look out at the students, and that’s when I decide to speak up, tired of this fuckery.

“Listen. I get it, I’m one ofthem. I don’t match your traditions, and I create a potential risk outside of your comfort zone.” I rub my temples, so done with playing this ludicrous game. “But for the love of fuck, if you could all wake up and see what’s right in front of you…that would really help all of us.”

A collective gasp rings out around the room, and Boris whispers ‘careful’ under his breath, but I didn’t become the woman I am today by pleasing idiots.

“It makes sense to me, actually, why all of your children had to be sent to a school to learn what you do. Because it’s clear that you not only don’t know whatyou’redoing, but you sure as fuck should not be teaching us anything.”

Students all over the room snicker and hide their faces as their parents or grandparents look appalled.

“Open your eyes—” A man in the back stands up to walk out, but I’m not playing games here.

“If you leave, you make a target of yourself. Not to me, but to him. He will come after all of you. We might all crave power, buthe craves domination, and he will not be satisfied until all of us are on our knees for him.”

This gets the crowd to listen, even the man who got up to leave has sat back down.

“I was under his thumb for years. He abused me and everyone I loved for as long as I can remember. And you won’t side with me and my family because I’m not blood.”

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