Constant bullshit

SOREN

Rex didn't turn his head toward me, even as the cold metal of my gun remained at the side of his head. “I'd rather smell the blood of his brains than make him my right-hand man. This stupid bastard will never be anything more than a lackey in this empire,” I spat, tightening my finger around the trigger.

From the corner of my eye, I saw my father approaching. “Every Don needs a right-hand man, Soren.”

“And I already have someone in mind. Vinny will be my right-hand man.”

My father stopped beside me without a word, wrapped his hand around mine, and slowly lowered the aim until the muzzle was directly against Rex's ear. “If you shoot inside his ear, he dies a deaf man.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I call it the silent death.”

Rex didn't flinch. His hands remained clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the empty space where my father's chair stood. He acted as though I wasn't standing beside him with a gun to his head.

That pissed me off more than it should have.

“Shoot,” my father murmured, a cruel smirk dancing on his lips. He was clearly enjoying this.

I cocked the gun, placing the muzzle inside Rex's ear as my fingers twitched on the trigger.

“What's the matter, Soren?” my father taunted. “You were so eager to kill him a moment ago. Shoot.”

For a moment, nobody moved, and the air seemed to stand still. Then I lowered the gun. “I can never trust this bastard, Father,” I said through clenched teeth, keeping my eyes fixed on Rex.

My father chuckled. “Or can you simply not bring yourself to do it?”

“It's not about whether I can or can't do it.” I clicked the safety on and shoved the gun into my waistband. “When I kill him, it'll be because I want him dead, not because you told me to pull the trigger.”

“Then you have the answer to my decision,” my father replied, walking back to his seat. “Until you can blow the eardrums of your adopted brother, he'll be your right-hand man.”

“This abandoned bastard isn't my adopted brother. He's an ass-licking bitch who's thirsty for authority his orphan hands won't get.”

“As long as the bastard gets the work done, Soren.” My father swayed gently in his seat. “Besides, my right-hand man is a bastard too.” He then turned to Nicholas and smirked. “Maybe I have a thing for bastards.”

“Well, I don't. And Nicholas is a self-trained man, whereas this stray bastard dog is only a pet that shouldn't be near my throne. I'm not making your pet my right-hand man, Dad. I'll appoint someone to that position myself.”

My dad said nothing else. He only smiled as he looked up at me.

“I'll bring Don Pedro's head in three days,” I said before giving a little bow and leaving.

I passed a blur of guards who bowed as they saw me. “Tell Vinny to meet me in my room,” I said to no one in particular.

“Yes, Y.D.” I heard a reply behind me. I walked through the dark hallway, the gun feeling useless in my waistband because I could've busted that bastard's brains.

The smell of cigarettes calmed me as I walked into my room. I tossed the gun onto my king-sized bed, went to the table, poured myself a generous amount of whiskey, and downed it in one go.

That bastard had finally gotten what he wanted. Right-hand man? My father must be out of his mind if he thought I'd accept that decision without a fight.

I should've drowned Rex years ago when we had that brutal fight. Maybe then my father wouldn't have to consider him for the position.

A right-hand man wasn't just a title. I'd have to trust him with territories, share information he had no business knowing, and let him handle deals in my absence.

I'd have to tolerate his constant bullshit every damn day.

“What got your face looking like that?” I heard Vinny's voice, but I didn't turn around, too busy pouring another drink.

“Let me guess, Naked Bullet's doing?” he asked.

I turned and smashed the glass against the wall beside his head. He barely moved, already used to my actions. “You know that nickname is fucking prohibited.”

Vinny raised his hands in mock surrender, a smile on his lips. “Fine, I'll call him Rex,” he said, coming closer and picking up another glass before pouring himself a drink. “He came to your operation again, didn't he?”

“That stupid fucker is asking for it.”

“I heard from Julio that he went to the Don and asked for permission to go there?”

My jaw tightened as I gripped the glass and glared at Vinny as though he were Rex himself. “I knew the truth was far from that motherfucker's mouth. Now my father thinks he's capable of ruling this empire alongside me.”

Vinny's eyes lifted from his glass. “Your father wants him to be your right-hand man?”

“Like hell that's happening,” I said, walking to the window. “I know my father well enough to know he's testing the waters with this. And with Rex always giving him more reasons to push for it, I know he's not going to stop.”

I heard the sound of a lighter and footsteps as Vinny came up beside me, holding out a cigarette. I took it and dragged deeply, blowing out the smoke as my vision became cloudy for a moment.

“So what are you going to do?” Vinny asked, puffing on his cigarette.

“The Spanish Don is next on the list. The owner of Rich High Club. He's paying with fake money too.”

“Don Pedro? I didn't know he'd stoop so low.”

“Me neither. First, Takeshi, and now Pedro. I guess the economy is fucking with them.”

“Rex is on this assignment?”

I nodded. “Father wants the operation to be done with him.”

“But?”

“But, of course, that's not happening. I told my father I'd go there in three days, but we'll go in two days.”

“Nice.”

“Gather the Zone 3 men and two snipers. I want details on Don Pedro before we get there.”