RYLAND

RYLAND POV.

"You're going to get yourself killed" Lexis's voice permeated the quiet room like the bad omen it was and I frowned, hating that my sister had no faith in my ability to do whatever it was I set my mind to.

"I'm going to secure my future and that's all Lexis, just do as you're told and everything will come into place" I sneered and I could feel her glare digging through my back.

Lexis scoffed, moving around me until we stood face to face. "Jade will kill you! Are you fucking listening to me? She wouldn't blink twice before she does it. You're the only family I fucking have. I don't want to lose you to that witch" she cried and I grabbed her arm, shaking her a little.

"Get a grip Lexis, I might act all dumb, but you shouldn't be so stupid to believe that I actually am. I do all those things so Jade doesn't suspect a thing about my plans" I let go of her, and she watched me, a stunned expression on her face. "Jade is a freaking crazy bitch but I'm crazier than she'll ever be and if you think for one second that I'm gonna let some girl take my place, you've got another thing coming. I already have a plan on how to put an end to her menace".

Lexis gaped, her mouth falling open before she forced herself to swallow and shut it.

"Wow! I must admit you had me fooled too, but Jade is smart, she'll know something is up".

"The only way she'll know is if you tell her, and I know you won't, because if you do and something bad happens to me, you're going to serve under her, and make no mistake about it, she's going to treat you like a piece of shit. Do you want that little sister?"

Lexis shook her head vehemently. "No, I don't. I want you to take over. She's not even part of this family, she wasn't supposed to show up in our lives and mess everything up".

"Well she did, and regardless of what we say or what we feel, she is a part of the family, father's blood runs through her veins"

"But he doesn't love her".

"Don't be fucking stupid Lexis" I snapped, hating that she was so fucking naive. "Do you think he's mean to her because he hates her, of course, bloody not! He's doing that to make her exactly like him. He wants to hand over to someone as ruthless as him, and that's why he does everything to make her a hardened cold-blooded killer. It's us he doesn't give a fuck about because he thinks we're sore losers, we can't even complete a simple task of killing traitors". The thought of it and saying it made me feel vile. I was so done with seeking his approval when it was a losing battle. He was nicer to us, but that was because he didn't give a shit about us. I'll make him give a shit, but by then it would be too late.

Lexis's eyes followed my agitated movement across the room. "You're right. I never thought about it in that manner before".

"You better start using your brain little sis, or you'll find yourself in a body bag before you even get a chance to blink. Are you going to do it or not", I asked, walking up to her until we stood an inch apart, her face tilted so that she could stare into my eyes.

She inhaled deeply then nodded. "I'll do whatever you want me to do big brother. I just want Jade out of our lives".

"And you'll get your wish," I whispered in her ears as I pulled her into a hug. Lexis held onto me tightly and I kissed her forehead. "Just make sure you put this into our father's drink before I get back," I said, slipping the bottle between her white pale palm. Her finger wrapped around the object testing the weight, and for a minute, I thought she was going to let it drop onto the tiled floor. I smiled when she clutched at it. "I'll handle everything else when I get back".

"I trust you. I'll do everything to make you Don big brother. Jade is never going to take your seat".

I smiled, patting her silky smooth brown curls. "That's my baby girl. I'll be the greatest Don ever, and I'll take care of you just like mother wanted me to".

"I know, and I'll always be by your side" she promised and I could feel her smile against my skin. Everything was slowly coming into place while Jade was none the wiser. I was going to take her down and I was going to do it in style.

*******

Jade was angry. I didn't meet her at the stipulated time, so we were an hour late. But it was all a ploy. I was the dumb stupid one and I wasn't expected to follow the rules so that was exactly what I did. Jade had a nose for sniffing out traitors but I was in a league of my own. I outsmarted even my father, too bad he'll only figure it out on his death bed, that was if Lexis had the gut to push through with our plan, and if Marion Don Telli kept his word about being on my side.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were plotting something against me, Ryland." Her voice made me jolt in my seat and I turned to face her. She was regarding me with a stare that made me fidgety but I had come too far to back down.

"I'm always scheming on how to overthrow you, Jade, you should pay a little more attention to me. You never know, I might really hit you where it hurt" I said with a smirk, even tho my heart was thrumming erratically against my ribcage.

Jade faced the road, her wrist flexing on the wheels. "I don't doubt that Ryland, I just have other pressing matters to worry about than to bother with you".

Her replies were always condescending. She thought she was all that but I was going to show her who the real boss was. I was looking forward to seeing the horror on her face when I put a bullet in her ribcage, or maybe I shouldn't be so quick to kill her, I should have fun with her, drag out her suffering. The thought lightened my mood and I found myself smiling without meaning to.

"I am curious tho" she suddenly said, her voice crashing through the barrier of happiness that had wrapped around me. "I would really love to find out what you've had planned that's making you smile like the little rat you are".

I smiled and met her gaze, throwing caution to the wind. "You'll find out soon enough".

"I guess I will'' she said with a smile playing around her lusty-looking cherry-red lips that I'd fantasized about kissing on countless occasions. I hated her and I couldn't have her.

She veered off the road, then drove along the trail that led into the Etral forest. Clouds rumbled overhead as we were swallowed by the tall trees that encompassed the forest. Jade turned on the headlight, cursing under her breath about the shitty weather.

The other cars trailed behind, following our lead until Jade slowed to a stop. We all got out of the car, and the soldiers followed closely behind us, their weapons loaded and ready for any foul play.

Jade looked like the queen of the night as she approached the men at the other end of the clearing. The darkness suited her, and between her crop black top and her tight leather jeans, her creamy skin seemed to shine like a beacon, teasing and tantalizing the sense of everyone who watched her.

Marion's eyes met mine and I knew that he was going to help me. I also could tell Jade knew something was up.

"You brought way more men than necessary, don't you think Marion".

Marion laughed. "In our line of business, you can never be too careful," he explained with a wave but I could tell that Jade was becoming more alert, which wasn't good because I needed her to let her guard down.

"Let's make this quick then. I want to see the package" she got out in a sharp voice that would make ordinary men jump, but not Marion. He was calm and collected.

"They're all in the boxes." He said with pride, then signaled two of his men. The two nodded, walked towards the boxes, and clicked them open. Jade inspected it, nodding as she took stock of the drugs and the arms each box contained.

Marion signaled to me, and I turned to look at the men that had followed us, looking alert with their guns in hand. If we didn't attack now, it would be too late. I guess I won't get my chance of making her die a slow tortured death.

I glanced back at Marion and gave a nod and then it was mayhem.

Marion aimed his gun in her direction and fired rounds in succession.