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Chapter 4

Elijah’s pov

**Three days ago**

It seemed like my father had forgotten what happened. He didn’t appear to really be aware of the seriousness of things ... . But I was damn serious about this, and I'm not backing down from marrying Liam.

I had waited for him for so many years, and I had carried feelings for him in those years that never faded, and I am not letting go now. I had to make him mine, no matter the cost.

It all started three days ago when we were all gathered for voting to begin and for everyone to make a decision on who is going to be the new mafia boss and a leader for the Blue Moon Mafia gang. The air in the room was filled with tension and great anticipation as I sat there staring at them with my cold eyes as I scanned the whole room.

My father was there as well, seated at the high table like always, and radiating authority. The other elders and council members murmured among themselves, waiting for the proceedings to begin.

“Let us vote for the new leader of the Blue Moon Mafia gang,” Mr. Leonard, one of the oldest and most respected elders, declared. His voice was deep and commanding as usual as it echoed through the walls.

Hearing that, my father stood up quickly as he placed his hand firmly on my shoulder. His eyes scanned the room, and then he said in a voice that carried both power and certainty,

“No need to vote. No one should go against my reelection, especially when it comes to my family. As we all know, my bloodline dominates this gang, and it will continue to do so until the end of time. No need to vote for a new leader…because my son is the next leader of this gang.”

The room went silent for a moment; every one of them didn't talk because his words were so heavy, but then, Mr. Leonard cleared his throat and then said, “I vote for Elijah.” When he said that, the two other elders hesitated as their faces hardened as they questioned each other quietly, but eventually, one of them nodded his head in agreement.

But the other man, however, refused and spoke out his mind disrespectfully. “No! We cannot vote for him! He is too young to lead. We need an older and experienced leader—not a puppet. Fresh blood does not belong in charge.”

My father’s eyes flared, his patience thinning. “Shut up! Does anyone need a reminder that I am still the boss? I have the right to decide who becomes the leader of this gang. Anyone I choose will be the leader. Understand this!”

The man hesitated, clearly intimidated, but tried to defend his point. “Elijah has been running sheets for five years, yes, but—”

“Enough! If I hear you say a word again…you will lose your tongue.” I interrupted, my voice cold and unyielding, matching my father’s…he's beginning to irritate me.

I stood up and walked to my father with smiles. “I am honored to be your son, Father. I am honored to lead this gang. I promise to protect and care for it with my life. That is my oath to everyone here.”

My father’s face softened slightly as pride flashed on his face. He placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “Indeed, you are the true heir of this gang. You are my son. And as your wedding gift, I am giving you full access to our business fortunes. From this moment, you are the leader, the boss, and all our assets are yours.”

Hearing that, a slow smile curved on my lips. I was happy that exactly what I wanted had happened.Now I had the power, and I could use it to my advantage—not against my family entirely or the gang, but to ensure I could marry Liam, the one I truly desired.

The thought of finally having him at my side made my chest tighten, and I could feel an uncontrollable joy stirring inside of me.

Presently*

I could recall every single word that my father said on that day…every single conversation we had shared in the past.

So that was when I turned to him with a confident and steady expression on my face, my eyes locked in his. The gun was still pointed at him. “So are you going back on your words now? You do not have to do that or act rashly, Mr. Ronaldo, Father; you must fulfill them.”

His face twisted in anger. He glared at me as his eyes gleamed in anger. “This was all your plan, wasn’t it? You set this up to get everything, and now you misuse it by marrying a man. That is not what the contract says!”

I felt a surge of defiance running through my veins. My fingers tightened into fists. “A wedding is a wedding, Father. Male or female, gay or straight. This wedding is important to me, and I am in charge. I inherited the family early to make sure no one could take advantage of the situation.”

“What nonsense are you talking about!?”

“I love Liam… I want him. No matter what, I am still your son, and I want your blessing. Either you give it to me, or you will be destroyed by me.”

His eyes narrowed in fury, and I could see the lines of his forehead deepen. Everyone seemed not to be breathing at that point in anticipation of what was about to happen.

“You think you’ve won,” he spat, his voice low and dangerous. “But you have not. I am not the only one who decides if you marry this man or not… Remember, this is only the white wedding between you two. There will still be the black wedding—the mafia’s recognition. Without my blessing, Liam will never be recognized by the family or the gang.”

I squeezed my face, anger and frustration twisting inside me. My jaw tightened, and I could feel the heat rising in my chest. “You shouldn’t do this,” I said, my voice low but unwavering. “This wedding is everything to me. It is my right, my choice, and my heart's desire.I have waited for this moment for years. Liam is the one I want. No matter what, he is mine.”

I could see my father’s eyes burn in rage with a flicker of disbelief, fury, and…perhaps a hint of grudging respect. His fingers clenched into a fist by his side, there was dead silence as everyone watched us.

I took in a slow breath, trying to keep my voice firm and calm. “I am your son. I have always been your son. But I am also the leader now. I am in charge of everything, be it my life, my decisions, or my heart, and they will not be dictated by fear or tradition. Liam will be by my side, and nothing…no one can change that.”

My father’s eyes burned into mine, and for a moment, I saw the battle raging behind them: authority against love, tradition against desire, and control against willpower.

Then his shoulders slumped slightly. His face was filled with a storm of conflicting emotions—anger, pride, worry, and also a tiny hope of acknowledgment in what I said.

I could hear murmurs from the elders on the other side; some of them exchanged worried glances, others biting their lips to hide smirks or surprise. Mr. Leonard stared at me in shock. That explained that he has seen many challenges on the throne, but the ferocity of the anger in my eyes was obviously something that he had never encountered before.

My heart pounded loudly, and my pulse was racing as I stared daggers at my father. I knew this was the critical moment. If he refused, if he tried to stop this, chaos would erupt, and I don't want that ... . But I was ready. I had been ready for ten years.

Liam had waited unknowingly for this moment with me, and I would not let it slip away—not for anything or anyone.

“Whether you like it or not, Father, you will give me your blessing,” I said again, my voice cold and resolute. “And I will take what is mine. I love him, and I will not be denied…he is my captive and property. You either accept it, or you lose me entirely.”

My father’s face twisted further in fury and disbelief at the words I used on him. But he should have known before now that I am someone who gets whether he wants… and very determined.

He opened his mouth to speak, and then I interrupted him. I stepped closer to him and let my presence dominate the whole place.

“This is my life….This is my choice. I am in charge, I repeat!I have waited for Liam, and I will not let a century of your stupid tradition, the world full of expectations, or even you stop me from having what I want and ruining my own happiness. This is my wedding, my love, my life ... and from now on as the leader of this gang, I further pronounce that LGBTQ marriage is now legalized!”

For a moment, there was silence... Everyone was terrified, and no one said a word to question my decision, but the only thing I could see was my father's glare filled with both anger and acceptance. Of course, he doesn't have a choice but to accept it.

I quickly smiled slowly in victory and brought down the gun that was pointing at him… My eyes drifted to Liam for the first time since we came; he was shivering in fear, but I walked to him and slowly raised his face with my gun assisting under his jaw.

“Please, let me…go.” He quivered and laughed out loud.

“Shh… Stop crying, honey; as you can see, no one can save you now… Not even your own family! I am your only hope, and you're mine!”

I said coldly with a grin.