Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve: The New Mafia Lord

 

URIAH KING

 

Days have passed since I destroyed the auction. The auction I was aware of but ignored because I had nothing to do with them and because I benefited from them in some other way. Benefits are one thing, touching Anabeth is another and they even dared to sell her. 

It's been days but the image of her standing on the stage with multiple men throwing their filthy money just to buy her is still on my mind. I faced countless enemies and danger half of my life, but that moment scared and infuriated me to no end. 

 

Fuck, remembering the moment I received a call saying she escaped replayed in my mind. My blood ran cold and my mind stopped working for a minute before I managed to keep my cool. I ordered all my men to search for her everywhere. I felt like losing my mind when hours passed without any sign of her until they caught sight of her in a bus. 

I didn't care that I'd be inheriting the Mafia from my Uncle tomorrow. I didn't care that the enemies and those against me being the next Mafia Lord were watching me. I didn't care about anything else and rescued the woman who had stirred something inside me when I thought I was unable to feel anything anymore. 

I investigated how she ended up there after she escaped from me, and found out how her own father basically sold her like some puppy. In my book, that is the biggest sin someone can do and ended up killing him in cold blood. If he can sell his daughter without thinking twice, how about in the future? 

I saved her, but it feels like Anabeth's hatred for me just grew even more. 

But it's fine as long as she's safe, as long as she's around me. Someday, she will learn to depend on me. She will slowly trust me, and she will eventually give me everything. 

*

 

"They're here," Killian said as soon as he entered my office. "The Don refused to wait anymore."

 

I nodded with a sigh. It's here. The moment that will seal my life forever has arrived. 

 

Am I excited? Damn right, I am. I endured the hard training and all the suffering for this day. I wouldn't go through all that if not for the title. With that power, I will be able to protect everyone I treasure including... her.  

I went to the basement where most of our meetings take place. All the members of the clan are already there. With just one look, you could already tell who's happy for me and who is forced to be there. They nodded at me in greeting as I walked between an aisle of our clan divided by authority and power. 

I held my head high, my steps were determined and confident. It felt like I was walking all over the memories of my hardships before I finally got to this point. I am no longer the boy who was brought here against his will, I am now a man set to take the throne and wear the ring. 

 

Right in front of everyone, standing in the middle with a proud look on his face was Don Marcus King.

He might be old and no longer in his prime, but his presence is still undeniable. He was the monster who created this clan from dust after all. Everyone's power came from him. And now, he's retiring because he thought I was ready. 

 

"Uriah," he said in a deep voice. "It's time."

 

I nodded firmly, standing before him. Everyone was silent as a black box marked with our family's sign was handed to him by Leo, his right hand man, and Killian's predecessor. Marcus opened it, revealing the signet ring that carries all the power of a Don. 

 

"Uriah King, my nephew, my successor, I have watched you since you were a little boy. I witnessed all your struggles. I witnessed how you turned your weakness to your strength. I was more than proud when you had your first kill. I was proud to see the leader you have now become."

Marcus slipped the ring around my point finger. A thick ring made out of 24k gold. The band was created by the blood of our enemies, and the tiger killing a snake in the middle was created by the flesh of the traitors. 

It was only a ring, but it carries the weight of so many people I now have to command and take care of. 

"I can't imagine anyone else replacing you, Uriah. You are the perfect heir an old man like me can ever wish."

Marcus grabbed my shoulder, squeezing it tight with a proud look on his face before stepping out of the platform so I could replace him. The moment he stepped aside, everyone bowed in greeting and I felt a surge of power within me. 

 

"Long live, Don Uriah King!" They chanted in unison. 

I basked in their praises, their hatred, their respect for me, knowing that I made it when I thought I wouldn't. 

 

In just a snap, I was thrown further into this dark world. A world between life and death. A life filled with traitors who will kill you for their greed, and people who will respect you for power. 

 

That night after the celebration, I was sitting alone in my room, feeling the weight of the ring and the huge burden that comes with it around my finger. I was happy and proud of myself, but I feel restless. 

 

I couldn't get a beautiful pair of gray eyes filled with anger out of my head. A woman who's filled with hatred. 

I shouldn't have dragged Anabeth to this hell, but it's too late now, and the only thing I can do now is to protect her. 

 

Killian entered my door after a knock. I asked him to bring Anabeth to me so we could talk, but seeing as he's alone, she probably didn't want to see me. 

"She doesn't want to talk to you, boss. She even refuses to have her injuries treated."

 

"Let her, but make sure she's protected. Make sure no one approaches her. My enemies outside and around me have definitely heard about her by now, and they will use her against me."

"Boss, it looks like you are falling in love with the nurse." 

 

I let out a cold smirk. "No, I've already fallen long ago, Kill. She's not just ready to accept me."

 

Killian snorted under his breath and he was judging me with his eyes. "It looks like she won't be accepting you anytime soon, boss." 

He left my room before I could shoot him, leaving me with my own thoughts once again. 

 

Anabeth and I are far from done, and now that I am the Don, she will never be free from me. I won't let them hurt her.