14. Leaders Meeting

*Rebel POV*

Kyle flew to Japan to ensure the production of new goods was up to standard. When it came to quality, Evan never compromised, and neither did I.

I had planned to go personally, but Kyle suggested it wasn’t necessary, especially with the annual meeting with rival gangs around the corner. My presence was needed here, so Kyle had to be the one to handle things in Japan.

He didn’t seem too happy about leaving me behind, particularly after I had been attacked twice since returning. He was convinced it was the work of rival gangs and had since tightened security around headquarters.

Not that I hadn’t beaten the life out of those low-level goons. I told him he was worrying too much, but nothing could sway him when it came to doing his job.

And that’s how I found myself stuck with the one person I would love to avoid.

Xavier.

I didn’t know what magic he worked on Kyle. Kyle never recommended anyone. But this time, he specifically requested that I allow Xavier to take charge of my security in his absence.

It wasn’t that I had something against Xavier, but there was something about the way he looked at me that made me uneasy. Not that I’d ever let that slip past my mask, but I couldn’t deny its presence either.

He was skilled, no doubt. In such a short period, he’d become second in command under my right-hand man.

“We’re here.” Xavier’s voice cut through the silence, snapping me out of the trance I had fallen into, realizing I’d been staring at him like a creep.

He didn’t seem to notice, though, as he casually parked the car and came around to open the door for me.

I glared at him intensely; he didn’t have to do that. I had hands.

“No need to do this. Just stay behind me and keep quiet,” I instructed, in case he didn’t understand his role here.

Today was the settlement meeting held by three major gangs operating in this area—the one day all gang leaders met each other like civilians. Though, in reality, they were conspiring about how best to stab each other in the back.

I despised such a waste of time, but Kyle had warned me not to give any of them a reason to openly declare war against our organization.

Not that they weren’t already working in the shadows.

But that didn’t matter at all.

Today was all about smiles. Fake smiles.

I took the elevator from the parking lot to the penthouse where the meeting was scheduled.

It happened to be a no-man’s-land, so only one person was allowed to accompany each gang leader for security, and even they had to wait outside the doors.

I told Xavier to wait outside and entered alone.

The atmosphere was anything but welcoming, but that was to be expected from crime lords.

The bloodlust and disdain radiating from the room as I entered were no joke.

Yet I kept walking as if it were nothing. I was accustomed to this by now. My own hands were as bloody as anyone else’s in this room.

“Well… well… look who it is. The Queen herself.” Zion, leader of the southeast gang, smirked. He dealt in drugs.

He had aged a lot since the last time I saw him. His dark hair was streaked with gray, and the wrinkles and bags under his eyes couldn’t hide how tired and drained he looked.

Sitting comfortably with his cronies, he held a drink in one hand and a burning cigarette in the other.

Smoke curled from his mouth as he sneered. “Never thought Evan would leave his empire in a child’s hands,” he spat, as if the idea left a bitter taste in his mouth. Yet his beady eyes tracked my every move with interest.

“He might have thought more about it if he hadn’t been murdered,” I replied, taking the seat directly across from him.

He gritted his teeth. He and Evan had started out as friends in college, but he couldn’t control his greed and betrayed Evan. As punishment, he was kicked out of the gang. After that, he started his own and returned to the business.

“Well said. He was a good man,” Belkov, the man sitting next to Zion, interjected.

Belkov was a bulky Italian with more muscle than he knew what to do with.

He looked as dangerous as he was, with scars and tattoos covering most of his skin.

At this point, I was the only one who looked out of place here. But I liked my odds.

“He was,” I replied with a fake smile.

“Shall we discuss business already? I don’t have all day,” Zion snapped, abandoning any pretense of politeness.

We weren’t on the same page, but I wanted to get out of here before things got out of hand and I ended up slaying these spineless monsters. Kyle would probably have a heart attack.

“Gladly,” I smirked, glaring back at Zion, who couldn’t seem to stop looking my way.

Belkov had his hands full, leading the meeting while keeping Zion in check.

I enjoyed the show.

By the time things wrapped up, the sky had started to turn gray.

Xavier silently followed me to the car as soon as I stepped out of the penthouse.

I was so quiet that even Xavier couldn’t resist sneaking glances at me, probably wondering what was wrong with me.

He didn’t ask, though. Good, he is not chatty like Kyle.

I waited until we were in the car and had pulled out of the parking lot before meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror and giving my order.

“Take me to the airport.”

He gave me a puzzled look but nodded anyway and complied.

I'm going back home…