Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Come, Jeff, you’re jumping with me.”
He gets up and moves to stand with me. Our years of friendship flash through my head. I treated his ass like family. He was like a brother.
Power is a funny thing. It’s not meant to be placed in the hands of everyone. Some jump out the window, thinking they have a hold on it, only to find out they didn’t close their hand around it.
Some claim to have it, but they’re only talking to themselves. Others make a claim but know they don’t have it, so they lie, steal, and cry victim toward true authority. I don’t want to be any of those people.
It’s the fact that I don’t want it that makes it mine to wield. I was born for it. It’s my birthright and because of that, I’ll find my way and everything will fall into place.
I shake my head clear and pull out my phone. I dial my grandfather as I make a decision on what I truly want. Now is as good a time as any.
“What are you doing?” Jeff asks as I dial.
“I’m calling Pappoús. He has positions to fill.”
Jeff gives me a smug grin. While the FaceTime rings, I look him in the eyes.
“You know what’s crazy?” I say.
“What’s that?”
“I’m going to have to send those kids to therapy after all of this. There’s even a chance my wife is going to wake up in a few weeks and realize I’ve killed in front of her. My grandfather could go back on his promise, and I’ll become someone I never wanted to be, but all you’re worried about is rising in power in Vander,” I say.
“Yeah, there’s a part of me that really wants to be a friend and care about all that. I love you, Josh, truly I do, but then there’s this part of me that needs to take my spot in Vander, so fuck all that.”
I scoff. “Burn it all, right?”
He shrugs. I hold my hand up as Skittles looks like she’s going to lunge at him. The instructor I’ve paid handsomely opens the door and moves aside as I previously told him to. Pappoús picks up right on time.
“Tzósoua mou, how are you?”
“I’m good, Pappoús. I have that decision for you. I don’t think I can be mayor. Mayven would be a better fit. Give it to her. I want my crown,” I say.
In the next breath, I push the button on the bar ring Jeff gave me, releasing the blade. Swiftly, I slice his throat. I then kick him in the chest, sending him flying backward from the plane.
Then, because I have so much rage in me, I pull my gun, step to the opening of the plane and shoot him in the chest seven times as his body falls, all while filming for Pappoús to see.
When I look at the screen and flip the view for Pappoús to see my face, he nods. “This is what you want?”
“It’s who I am. No one is forcing me and I’m doing it my way. I just have one question. Why not tell me it was him I couldn’t trust?”
“I wanted you to learn a lesson.”
“And what’s that?”
“Once you see a snake and it’s attack, you will recognize it in the future before it gets close enough to strike.”
“Lesson learned.”
“Very well. All of you boys and my little friend come to see me. We will finalize the positions.”
“See you soon.”
Chapter 76
Forever Mine
Kelex
A year later…
I smile to myself as I look in the mirror. I’m dressed in my tux with a blue tie on. I push a hand through my hair to get it out of my face, but it tumbles back into its layers.
I grin as Pappoús comes to pat me on my shoulder. When I turn to him, he reaches to fix my tie. His eyes are filled with so much peace and joy. A look I’ve never truly seen on him before.
“Now you look ready,” he croons and pats my cheek.
“Thank you.”
“You continue to make me proud, Tzósoua mou. You’ve exceeded my expectations.”
“I’ve done what I felt was best.”
I have. Back home, I’ve done what needed to be done. First order of business was to shut down the other families for good. My years of getting to know the Vander and Bridge Lake wives came in handy.
No more plotting, no more scheming from their husbands. Most were willing to move on and never return. Others I had to deal with more forcefully.
I’m glad to say that part of my life is over. This is the life I wanted. I’m married with three amazing kids I now call mine. I’m surrounded by true friends and I’ve made my own success.
“Happiness looks good on you. Come, let’s go see our girl.”
I smile broader. I love the relationship Pappoús has with Shawna. When we’re in the States, he calls her almost every day.