CHAPTER THIRTEEN

XAVIER

“Right this way sir,” the chauffeur gestured to the elevator and I gave him a slight nod before entering.

When the metal doors shifted to a close, I released a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding.

Tonight, I was meeting with the heads of the other families in Chicago at the China twin towers, one of the tallest and most exclusive in the city.

Despite the cold and calculating mask I put on, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. It was the first meeting since Mother’s funeral and I didn’t know what to expect.

Everyone would be watching me, evaluating whether I was as strong as my father was, whether my mother’s influence had softened me.

The elevator came to a stop on the fifth floor. I cleared my throat and adjusted my suit before stepping out.

“Get a hang of yourself, Blackwell.”

This wasn’t the time or day to hesitate. These men were vultures, some even my father shuddered at. And since he passed they thought his organization was done for.

That they could devour it along