Chapter 94
(MILES)
“I don’t have to be the one calling the shots to know a true leader. I know one when I see one. The much I respect Sasha would make me die for him without thinking it twice. That’s how leadership works. Sasha instils loyalty. You can never do that by backstabbing your own p>
Dalton glares at me angrily. “My men are already loyal to me.” He snarls.
“But the Sovereign Ring syndicate men aren’t loyal to you. If you pull this stunt, I doubt that they’d ever follow you. They’ll be more ready to follow Arlo instead even at his young age. By grabbing me, he took a bold step and that alone is enough to make the men respect him. For his loyalty. The act you’re putting on now will only show the men that you’d do anything to get the power. I know of very few men who would be inspired to put their lives in line.
Dalton inches closer to me. He looks menacing. “You better watch your tone when you talk to me p>
“Why? I’m dead no matter which one of you is in charge p>
I glance over and find Arlo watching me. His gaze is fixed on me, his expression odd. But then I don’t have time to muse. I gesture to him. “Is Arlo young? Yes, he is. Instead of betraying him, you should have stayed loyal to him during this difficult time. The best you’d have done is to honour your uncle’s wishes for Arlo to step into his shoes, but you choose to be greedy. Greed is what will get you killed p>
“You know, your opinions mean nothing to me. I’m not interested in them. And nobody is ever going to learn about this. You don’t know shit about what my uncle would have wanted. I have always been the backup plan had something happened to Arlo.” Dalton smiles mischievously. “My uncle trusted me to step up and lead this syndicate p>
“Did he expect you to try and kill me?” Arlo seethes.
Dalton shakes his head and then trains his eye on his younger cousin. “Your impetuous behaviour is what brought this, to begin with, yet you’re acting like I want it p>
“It’s your greed that brought us here.” Arlo growls.
Dalton bites his jaw. “I’m done discussing this. You were reckless and your plans were foolish. Now you’re both going to die. I’ll have my men stage the scene to make it look like you killed Miles and then took your own life p>
“I’d never take my own life,” Arlo yells angrily. “Anyone who knows me would know I’d never take my own life p>
Dalton shrugs. “That doesn’t matter. Even if there will be men who won’t believe you killed yourself, they’ll just assume that Sasha killed you. Nobody would fault him for putting you down after you killed his second p>
One of the two alphas comes over and whispers something in Dalton’s ear. Dalton frowns then asks, “Right now?” Tell her I’m in the middle of some business p>
“I tried, sir.” The alpha winces.
“Then try harder,” Dalton yells.
The alpha looks like he would rather crawl into a hole than go head-to-head with his boss. “I’m sorry, sir. But your wife insists that you promised to accompany her to the gala. I tried to tell her that you were held up but she wouldn’t listen p>
“I thought that stupid gala was set to happen next month.” He snaps angrily.
“Well, it appears not, Sir.” The alpha winces and takes a step back.
“This is ridiculous. There are tons of other galas that we can attend later.” Dalton snarls, looking at us impatiently. “I don’t have time for her little tantrums right now p>
So, Dalton really is an asshole. Even to his wife. Usually, it is the alphas responsibility to keep their mates happy and contented. I can’t help but wonder if the woman is missing out on her privileges just because he has this bloodthirsty alpha for a mate. It is already unfortunate enough that she speaks of her in that manner in the presence of his subordinates. It would be very easy for even the younger alphas to look down on her. Do they even respect her?
“I’m sorry, Sir.” The alpha repeats yet again. ” Should I tell her that you’ll call back a bit later and that you won’t be joining her for the gala event p>
“Hell no.” Dalton snaps. “if I blow her off tonight I won’t hear the fucking end of it. Lord! Why must she always try to fuck up things for me p>
Part of me is thankful that the wife made the call. It is convenient enough for me that she is insisting on going to the gala with Dalton right now. The gala isn’t as important as eliminating me and Arlo from the face of this world, but Dalton will not defy his woman. He’d rather put our deaths on hold. I’m hoping that she insists so that this greedy power power-hungry alpha can give me time to think.
The young alpha shoots a dismissive glare at me and Arlo. “Me and Cisco can handle these two. It will even be better if they die while you’re out with Mrs. Baccalieri at a public event p>
“No,” Dalton rubs his jaw with an assessing expression. “I need to be here when it goes down. Every move needs to be staged perfectly. I didn’t get here by outsourcing my tactics. There can’t be even a single loose end. I can’t afford that. I want no trace that can lead the police to me. And nothing must clue in the Sovereign Ring men that I had a hand in Arlo’s death p>
“Cisco and I will be very thorough, Sir p>
Dalton sighs and shakes his head. “No. I can’t trust anyone with this. This is important to me and I won’t relax until I’m certain beyond doubt that these two are dead. One mistake could fuck up the entire plan p>
“as you wish, sir.” The alpha nods politely. He does his best to not show that he is insulted by his boss’s mistrust.
Dalton turns and glares at us impatiently. “Looks like you have until morning to live p>
“Is Sophia aware of your plans?” Arlo sounds wounded. “I doubt she’d be delighted about you murdering me p>
I get the notion that Arlo could be guilt-tripping him, hoping that he buys the guilt trip and that the guilt nudges him to change his mind. One thing about these power-hungry alphas is that go against anyone and everyone, and they don’t stop until they get whatever it is that they desire. Does Arlo not know that?
“No.” Dalton wrinkles his brow. “she isn’t aware. She’s rather fond of you. Your death will gut her p>
“But you’re still going to kill me” Arlo mutters.
“Why not? I have to. Your behaviour has given me the perfect chance to move.” Dalton shrugs and turns heading to the stairs. “Enjoy your last night alive, boys. I’m sorry I can’t get you a fancy last meal. Or anything.
Arlo lets loose a string of flying cuss words flipping off his cousin’s retreating back.
I know better than to waste my energy on anger. I pace for a bit then finally sit on the cot. Thanks to that phone call I now have a whole night to figure out how I’ll get out of this mess. It isn’t much time, but it’s better than Dalton putting a hole through my skull right this minute.