The drive into Blaxlands Grove seems to take forever, when in reality, I get there much quicker than I had expected. The whole drive, my mind swirled around today’s bullshit, wondering what Nic is going to do when he gets out. Though I don’t need to wonder too much, he will retaliate, that’s a given. The issue is how?
Will he come for me, or will he let it slide? Nic is going to be pissed and unlike Kai, Eli, and Sebastian, he doesn't forgive as easily, but I’m not sure that I really want his forgiveness, he’s the one who needs mine.
I bring the Audi to a stop outside the Wolf Den and take a second to breathe. Only I don’t get as long as I’d hoped when Christian appears at the door and gives me a stern look, telling me to get my ass inside.
I climb out of the Audi and scurry to catch up with him, hoping that if all hell breaks loose that maybe I could use him as a human shield. “What’s going on?” I question, stepping in beside him and trying to keep up with his long strides as we walk through the big metal door of the Den. “What’s this about?”
Christian scoffs and grabs me, pressing me up against the wall and lowering his voice, reminding me that he’s not a friend, just an ally. “Don’t play dumb with me, princess,” he says. “I saw your boyfriend there. These other fuckers might have been too fucking stupid to put it together, but I know what the fuck’s going on.”
I swallow back fear, wondering if I've just walked into a trap when I hear Russo’s, deep booming voice flowing over the Den. “Let’s get on with it, we’ve wasted enough time.”
Christian doesn’t release me, just stands there staring at me with a heavy scowl, almost as though he’s accusing me of something. After a minute passes and all the bodies in the Den begin crowding around, he finally releases me, and we both hurry to catch up.
There must be at least a hundred and fifty Wolves crammed into this small part of the Den, and I have to admit, I’m impressed that they’re all falling in line and doing exactly what they’ve been told. Whether that’s out of fear or loyalty, I don’t know.
Christian walks right around to the front to stand by Russo’s side while I hide in the back, keeping close to the exit for a quick escape.
“Right,” Russo says with a grunt, sounding as though he’s in pain. “Where is she?”
Fuck. That could only mean me.
I take a step back when a hand curls around my wrist like a steel vice. My eyes snap up to find Snake’s sick glare on me, and I try to yank my arm free, only he’s holding on far too tight. “Let me go,” I growl, but it’s as though he isn’t listening to a damn word I say.
He gives me a hard yank and shoulders his way through the crowded bodies, dragging me through until he pushes me into the center of the circle, to where I fall to my knees at Russo’s feet.
“Get up,” Russo says on a growl, staring down at me with distaste.
My head snaps up to take him in. Russo leans against the bar, hardly holding himself up, and fuck, he looks bad. Colton really went to town. There’s not a single section of his body left untouched, and he looks more than miserable.
I swallow back over the lump of fear growing in my throat. He's going to kill me for this. There’s no way he’s going to let me walk out of here still breathing. The only way I'm getting out of here is in a body bag. What was I thinking coming here? I should have run. I should have left when I had the chance.
I shakily get to my feet and as Russo’s heavy stare settles on mine, I instantly begin backing up. With the Wolves behind me, they shove at me until I'm front and center. Russo points to the empty space to his left and shoots daggers at me. “Now,” he growls.
Not stupid enough to make matters worse, I move, slowly taking myself to the space at his side, fearing the absolute worst. Christian’s eyes remain on me with confusion, and the small concern in his gaze tells me that no matter what, he’s still on my side. I still have his protection even though he’s questioning my loyalty.
Once I’m right where Russo wants me, an intense hush falls over the Den, and Russo pushes off the bar, doing his best to look strong in front of his men despite the pain he must be in. “There are a few things we need to discuss,” he announces, looking around the crowded bodies. Russo’s gaze flicks to mine before looking back to his people. “Last night, I was taken off the fucking streets by Widows,” he says, sending the men into an uproar. “Dominic Garcia tortured me for information, but I didn’t relent.”
My eyes bug out of my head as I look up at Russo.
The big, scary, broken man says what?
I swear he just told his people that Nic was the one who did this. Why would he do that? Is he trying to protect me or fuel their hatred of the Widows? This doesn’t make any sense, but I’m not stupid enough to speak up about it. For now, it’s the only thing keeping me breathing.
Christian glances at me, and that one look confirms his suspicion, but just like me, he keeps his mouth shut, letting Russo play out what little game he’s brought us all here to play.
Snake takes a step into the circle. “The Widows knew we were coming,” he spits, looking right at me. “The little bitch squealed. What’s she even doing here? She’s a Widow lover.”
Russo steps directly in front of me and grabs Snake by the front of his shirt. “That little bitch was given the impression that we were still weeks off from an attack. Your big mouth was the fucking reason they knew, so I suggest you shut the fuck up and stand back in line where you belong. Unless you’d prefer me to tell your fellow Wolves how you directly told Dominic Garcia that you were on your way to take them out.”
Snake’s eyes go wide, and he instantly begins to retreat as the Wolves around him start to murmur, but as Russo steps out of my way, Snake’s eyes come back to mine, filled with hatred.
“Today was a sham,” Russo spits at his men. “An embarrassment. You all failed me. Instead of standing strong, you bitched out to save my life, but you all know better. If you have a chance to take out the enemy, you take it, no matter what the costs, even if it means sending a bullet straight through my brain. Failures.”
Cries of outrage and protest come shooting through the Den, until Russo holds up his hands, not about to deal with their rowdy bullshit. “SILENCE,” he demands, bringing order back to his meeting. Once he has all of their attention, he continues. “Here’s the thing, Dominic has possession of something very important to me, something important to us all,” he says, referring to his company that is now actually in Colton’s possession, but these guys don’t need to know that. “Dominic will use this against us. He will retaliate. He will not sit back and accept that we came to his home. We need to be prepared because this isn’t just war anymore, this is a termination.”
The Wolves start chanting, showing that they’re ready for this when Russo holds up his hands, telling them to shut the fuck up. “I will lay my life down for the Wolves, but Dominic has made it impossible for me to fight, and because of that, there’s something that I must do.”
Every eye turns his way, focusing with every bit of attention they have. “In order to keep every one of your asses out of prison, I have to step down. I made a deal, and unless I stick to my word, we’re all going down.”
My brows furrow as the murmurs pick up through the room again. That wasn’t the deal that Colton made. It was my freedom for his company. What the fuck is he playing at?
“As of now, you have a new leader,” Russo explains. I glance at Christian, wondering how the fuck this is supposed to work. Does Snake step up as his second, or is Christian supposed to take over the family business? What kind of side deals has Russo made?
Christian's brows furrow as Snake raises his chin, puffing out his chest with pride. He’s assuming that today is the day he finally gets what he has always wanted, but when Russo reaches back and snaps his fingers around my wrist and drags me forward, dread sinks heavily into my stomach.
“No, no, no, no, no,” I begin chanting, desperately fighting against his hold as Russo speaks over me
.
“Effectively immediately,” he says with a loud, dominant tone, daring anyone to question his authority. “Oceania Munroe is now stepping up and taking her rightful place as the leader of the West Side Wolves.”
I gape, horror washing through me like a wave crashing into a brick wall, completely rocking me to my core. I start shaking my head, searching out Christian for help, who looks back at me in confusion, standing as still as a statue while trying to come to terms with what just happened. “No,” I say with desperation, trying with everything in my power to pull my wrist free of Russo’s hold. “I didn’t ask for this. Pick someone else. This isn’t my rightful place. I don't even belong here.”
Russo pulls me into him, baring his teeth like an actual wolf. “Your father was my second for twenty years. You belong more than the rest of these fuckers do, now stop being a disrespectful little bitch and show your family that you respect them.”
Outrage and pissed off protest sound all around the Den while Snake forces his way back into the circle. “What the fuck is this?” he demands, lifting a hand and shoving it into my shoulder, sending me falling back against the bar as he stares down Russo. “I’ve stood by your side ever since the beginning. That spot is mine. I haven’t been your ‘yes man’ for nothing.”
Russo growls as he reaches for his gun and presses it against Snake’s head. “You’re a fucking disgrace,” he roars. “You betrayed your brothers today. It was your actions that had four of our men lying on the ground, perishing in front of the Widows home like animals. You will never lead my people.”
Snake ignores the gun at his head as though it’s a common occurrence and jams his finger into Russo’s chest. “You’re going to regret this,” he announces before smacking the gun away and turning his back. He walks away, shoving through the crowded bodies until he’s flying out the door.
Russo finally releases his steel grip on my wrist, and all eyes slice to me. Jaren and Christian instantly appear at my sides, getting a discreet nod of approval from Russo as we stand as one, facing the Wolves front on.
Some scoff at the sight while others narrow their eyes, not liking what they're seeing, and honestly, I don't fucking like it either. I can’t be the leader of a fucking gang, let alone the one who’s at war with the Widows. I don’t belong here, and looking out at the men standing before me, they don’t think so either.
I go to move away but Christian jams his hand into my back. “Don’t fucking turn your back. Stand until the last man has walked away unless you’d prefer to get a bullet through the back of your head.”
Fuck me.
Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow it down over and over again as I stand tall against these men. Neither Christian nor Jaren moves a muscle until the last Wolf has walked away. I choose to honor this fuckery purely out of respect for Russo, assuming that there are reasons for why he did what he did. Hell, maybe he thinks that Nic won’t stand against the Wolves while I’m at the top of the leaderboard, but if that’s what he thinks, he’s fucking wrong. It will only push Nic further.
Once everyone is out of hearing range, Russo finally turns to me with a grin ripping across his face. “You better watch your back, girl,” he says in amusement. “Your boy has fucked with the wrong man.”
Russo turns his back as a chill sweeps down my spine.
I’m in fucking trouble here.
The second Russo is gone, the bile rises again, and this time, I can't hold it down. I race for the bar and throw myself over it before finding an old bucket and throwing up everything in my stomach.
Ten minutes later, I sit at the bar with my head in my hands and Christian sitting beside me while Jaren refills my third glass of water.
Jaren places the glass down in front of me. I take it with both hands, watching as the water inside jostles around with my movements. “I can’t do this,” I murmur for only them to hear as Christian scans the room again, waiting for the threats to come at me. “I only just turned eighteen, and I don’t even want to be in this stupid gang. I’m fucking pregnant. Can’t Russo see how fucked up this is?”
Jaren grunts. “I think he’s counting on it,” he tells me bluntly, not sparing my emotions. “He’s hoping you fuck it up and the boys deal with you themselves. Keep it clean and private, so your rich friends can’t get involved.”
“That’s ridiculous. If something happened to me, Colton wouldn’t stop until every last one of you are dealt with, and the Widows … it’s only going to make it worse. It’s got to be something else. Maybe he’s trying to use me as leverage to get his shit back.”
“What the fuck does Dominic have on him?” Christian demands, thinking out loud.
“The deed to his company,” I say, deciding to keep quiet about the real person behind that. “Apparently, it’s the company that Russo ran all of his bullshit through. It holds every secret, every deal, every tiny little thing to bring this whole thing down in flames.”
“Fuck,” Christian grunts, leaning back in his chair. “We’d all go down if that was to get out.”
Jaren lets out a heavy sigh and leans onto the bar. “What the fuck are we supposed to do?”
Christian shakes his head, not liking his own damn plan. “We play along. We put Ocean in power and make her the best fucking leader these guys have ever had. We need to win her loyalty over Russo’s.”
My brows pinch as I stare at him in confusion. “And how the fuck am I supposed to get a bunch of grown-ass men to follow me?”
“You make a move,” he tells me. “You take down our enemies and show that only you could have done it. You make Russo look weak. End the Widows and make the Wolves the most feared and coveted gang this country has ever seen.”
I shake my head. “I can’t make a move against the Widows like that.”
“Then you die. It’s as simple as that,” he tells me. “I’m not trying to be an ass, I’m telling you how it is.”
“He’s right,” Jaren murmurs, looking up and meeting my eyes. “But whatever you decide to do, you need to figure it out fast because these guys aren’t going to sit around and wait on you forever. Make your move and make it a fucking good one.”
Chapter 24
Whispers turn into muffled protests filled with nothing but arrogance that has me desperately wishing I could cross this stupid Den and smack it out of the Wolfy dickwads. They’re acting as though I stole the leadership out from under Russo rather than having it forced down my throat.
Fuck, I’d give anything to not be here right now.
The Wolves hover in small groups, standing suspiciously spaced around the bar where I sit with Christian and Jaren. My back is to them, and it feels like the most moronic thing I’ve ever done as every few minutes that pass by, I feel them inch closer, more than ready to steal my crown away from me.
They don’t want me at the top just as much as I don’t want to be there, but unfortunately for every single one of us, there’s not a damn thing that can be done about it. It won’t stop them from trying, though. Judging by what Jaren and Christian have been saying, they’re going to try their hardest to get me out of here, even if it means putting a bullet through my brain.
I’ve never felt so sick in my life.
It’s only been an hour since Russo’s ridiculous little announcement, and seeing as though no one has died yet, I’d say I’m doing pretty well. I wonder what the world record for the shortest time in power is because I have a feeling I’m about to be at the top of the list. Russo must have a game plan. Surely he’s not stupid enough to put me at the top of the organization that he’s been behind for the last twenty or so years. It’s a ploy, he’s playing some kind of game, and I have a feeling that I don’t have much time to figure it out.
If I was smart, I’d be embracing this new change. I should be taking advantage of a shitty situation and making some big changes. I should be using this time to mend bridges between the Widows and the Wolves so that no one else has to lose their lives. Hell, maybe even save m
y boy’s asses while I’m at it. I should be turning over all the shitty people the Wolves deal with and get them off the street. I should be getting the Wolves clean and helping Blaxlands Grove become a desirable destination once again. But instead, I’m sitting here about ready to shit my pants.
Ha. I’m an idiot for thinking that I could have the kind of pull to make a difference around here. I’ll be lucky if I can somehow escape with my life still intact. The Wolves won’t stand for it. They won’t allow me to come through here and tear down their carefully sculptured castle from the inside. It’ll never happen. I just have to hope that while I’m here, I don’t get myself mixed up in any of their mess. You know, apart from the mess I’m already caught up in.
I feel the nerves beginning to roll off of Christian beside me as Jaren continues looking around, watching the Wolves as they slowly creep closer and closer. Time is running out. If I’m going to make a stand and demand their respect, then it needs to be done sooner rather than later. If I decide to wait … later won’t be an option.
“What’s the plan?” Christian urges, low and demanding, the desperation thick in his voice as he tries to figure out how I’m going to play this. I can see the doubt in his eyes. He doesn't think I have the balls to face these guys and say what needs to be said. Christian has somehow taken on the role of my protector despite how annoyed he is that I went behind his back to talk to his sister and happen to have a boyfriend who was seen standing with the Widows. My gut is telling me that he can be trusted, and being Russo’s son, I feel as though that gives him an edge, an advantage. He knows how things work around here, he knows what goes on behind closed doors, and he’s strong enough to stand against his father. It makes him perfect to be my second.
Ride or Die: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Rejects Paradise Book 4) Page 22