21. Nazai
CHAPTER 21
NAZAI
“ S tarting today you’ll officially oversee the business, hijo. When you were growing up, me and you bumped heads a lot. We disagreed on a lot of things, mainly because you follow after me when it comes to being too strong minded for your own good, and you’ve got your mother’s stubbornness.” Dad paused and smirked. “But still I’m proud of the man you’ve become. With this business comes a lot of risk, but I know you’ll continue to lead The Bloodline into success. You might not have followed in my footsteps with law, but you created your own path and now that you’re married, it’s time for you to not only continue our legacy but create your own. To Nazai! Happy birthday, son.” Dad lifted his glass with my brothers, including River, following suit. We were currently at the family meeting house. It was the morning of my birthday and it was starting off just like I always knew it would, me being crowned head of the family.
“How does it feel, old man?” Ezra asked with a grin on his face.
“Like I can still whoop your ass in a fight.”
He chuckled. “Good luck getting past Wilma.”
I grinned at my little brother. “That’s why God made bullets.”
Dad laughed at the head of the rectangle table. It was the same table we had sat around plenty of times while he debriefed us on missions we were taking on. Emmet would provide the information while Dad would explain what needed to be done. I enjoyed what we did, killing with my brothers brought me joy. Killing period excited me but being in charge, knowing the shoes I had to fill, made my nerves a little rattled, but I was up for the task. I had been groomed to take over since I could remember.
“So since you’re the head of the family now, what does it entail exactly?” Cashlynn asked next to me. She had been sitting silently since we’d arrived.
“It means now I distribute the jobs this family does.”
“And how exactly do you do that? I mean, I know what you guys do, but I never understood how.”
I smirked. “It’s simple. My dear brother over there…” I pointed to Emmet. “…is a genius and created us a whole online portal where folks who know how submit requests, anonymously, and pay a shit load of money to have those requests fulfilled. Since neither parties identities are ever exposed, both remain protected.”
She leaned up, tapping her finger on the table. “So you guys just don’t take care of the shitty people, you take on kill requests too.”
I grinned. “Bingo, wifey.”
“And that particular information is sensitive and shouldn’t be given so carelessly,” Dad said.
“She’s my wife and?—”
“And I want in,” Cashlynn cut in. She stared at me.
“We don’t let women in the business,” Dad said.
“Nah, Pops, you got it wrong. Cashlynn isn’t a normal girl. Sis is as cutthroat as the rest of us,” Ezra interrupted.
“He’s not lying. I’ve seen it firsthand,” Lucas agreed.
“And regardless of if you don’t think women should be involved, you’re not in charge anymore. I’m just as much of an asset as your other sons.”
“Because you do the same thing as us.” Emmet spoke up, gaining our attention. “I’ve been wondering what it was about you that bothered me. I’ve dug into your life from the moment you were born. I read everything about your parents and the people they were wrapped up with. Which, by the way, they were into a lot of sick shit. Finding out everything I did, I realized that you were keeping who you really are hidden.”
“After what she did to Rhodes, I believe it,” Lucas said.
Cashlynn snorted and leaned back in her seat, staring at Emmet. He might not talk much but when he did he knew how to make an impact.
“You ever heard of The Queen of Hearts?” she asked with a raised brow.
Dad’s face pinched then his brows shot up to his hairline. “You’re not about to tell us you’re The Queen of Hearts,” River chimed in for the first time before Dad could.
Cashlynn smirked. “You said it, not me.”
“Well I be damned!” Ezra muttered. “I’ve heard about you, Wildfire. You’re very sought out.”
I cut my eyes toward my brother. “Cashlynn. Her name is Cashlynn.”
Ezra tossed his hands up and grinned.
“That’s because I’m great at what I do. I needed money and killing is what I was raised to do. The thing is, I know you guys make more than what I would make on my own, and I want in.”
“My money is now your money, so you don’t have to worry about that,” I noted.
“Your money is your money. I’ve never been against making my own and I won’t start now.”
I chuckled at her stubbornness. My wife was prideful; that was clear. In time I planned to change that. Looking around the table I saw Dad still had a shocked expression on his face. I didn’t think I’d ever seen him speechless before.
“The Queen of Hearts is one of the most well-known assassins around. You’re telling me you’re her?”
“Thank you,” Cashlynn replied in Spanish instead of directly answering my dad’s question.
Dad pointed a glare at me. “And you knew this?”
I nodded. “I did and I’ve seen what she can do. I’m bringing her in.”
I could see it written all over his face. Dad wanted to protest, but instead he clenched his jaw and looked back at Cashlynn who had a satisfied expression on her face.
“Anyone got an objection?” I circled the table with my eyes.
No one spoke up. “I’ll feel good with her covering my back,” Ezra announced.
“Not on that, but I have news,” Emmet said. “I was able to catch the car that shot up Dad’s party on one of the street cameras.” He typed on the keyboard in front of him. An image appeared on the screen on the wall. “The idiots were amateurs and used one of their cars. It was registered to a Victor Wallace.” The driver’s license popped on the screen.
“Who the fuck is that?” Ezra questioned.
I looked toward my dad but he nodded for me to take the lead.
I cleared my throat. “I don’t know but we’re gonna find out. River, I want you and Ezra to go snatch him up and bring him to the barn. Take Emmet too, find out whatever you can about this guy and why he was brave enough to come for us.”
“I want to go too,” Cashlynn interjected.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“He tried to kill me!”
My nostrils flared and I straightened my spine. Her giving me backtalk, especially when I just was handed the reins and allowed her to join the team, wasn’t what I needed.
“He tried to kill all of us. We have a system here and when you’re needed I’ll be sure to let you know.” I cut my eyes at her. “I don’t know how you handled shit before, but I’m the boss now and you will follow what I say.”
Her lips pressed together, her cheeks puffed, and her eyes flashed with anger.
“Bro acting like we didn’t see her cut a dude’s dick off and feed it to him,” Ezra mumbled.
“What the fuck?” River choked.
I stood up so everyone understood me. “I want him caught and brought in before my party tonight. Have him tied up and we’ll handle him tomorrow.” I made eye contact with everyone, leaving my stare on Cashlynn so she knew I was serious.
“And on that note, that’s enough business talk. We need to celebrate my baby turning thirty.” Mom walked in the room, holding a cake, with Carson behind her.
There was more I wanted to say but I saw the determination in Mom’s eyes. “That’s it for now. Handle Victor and we’ll take care of the rest later,” I let everyone know.
I sat back down and moved my chair closer to Cashlynn, leaning in so my mouth was at her ear.
“Try to undermine me again in front of everyone and me attempting to drown you won’t be the only problem you have.”
She snatched her head back and glared at me. Her hand twitched on the arm of the chair.
Winking at her, I gave my family my attention. Cashlynn had to learn I was the king of this castle and if she didn’t fall in line, I had no problem showing her.
____
Getting off the elevator, I stepped onto my second floor and headed toward the room Cashlynn currently slept in. For a second I stared at the door. After we got home from the meeting, she didn’t say much, mostly spoke to Carson before leaving. When I tracked her, I saw she went to the shooting range at my other house. Since learning I had one, she spent a good amount of time there. She must have not known we had one at the barn she could’ve used. I knew she wanted to make whoever shot at us pay, and so did I, but I also knew that wasn’t a random shooting and it had to be more to the picture. I grabbed the doorknob and turned it, opening the door.
When I stepped in the room, she paused before spinning around and glaring at me. “I need to start locking the door.” I grinned and gave her a onceover. The outfits my shopper picked out for the two of us complemented each other well. She wore a one shoulder mini dress with a structed drape detailing that stopped right at the top of her thighs. The blood red color looked good against her light brown skin. I wore a black Amiri polo and camel colored Hollywood trousers with white pockets.
“You look good in red.” I licked my lips, taking her in one last time.
She huffed. “I don’t know why that lady keeps buying me heels. I can’t even walk in them.” She rolled her eyes, sitting on her bed and taking the gold heels out of the box next to her, examining them.
Walking over to her, I kneeled, being careful not to crease my pants, and grabbed the shoes from her.
“About time you learn then, huh?” I grabbed one of her feet to put the heel on.
Again, she rolled her eyes. “Are you gonna take this off my neck? I think it’s clear I’m not gonna run away.”
My eyes flickered up to the collar on her neck. “Now why would I do that?” Finishing strapping the shoe, I ran my hand up her calf slowly, causing her to shiver. A smirk formed on my face.
“Maybe because I’m not a dog.” Her voice came out strained and breathless.
“No but you got some bite to you though.” I switched feet and reached for the other heel.
Cashlynn cleared her throat. “You know one reason I hate dresses is because there’s less material to hide my weapons.” My hand paused for a second. Again I flicked my eyes up. Cashlynn was used to being in fight mode. Even now she would briefly let her guard down before shooting it back up. I had a feeling it had to do with her parents. Even with Emmet’s research, I still knew little about their relationship. Although from what I’d heard Cashlynn mention, I had an idea.
“Looks like you’ll have to trust me to keep you safe if something goes wrong then.”
She narrowed her eyes at me, but didn’t respond. When I finished putting her shoe on, I stood and towered over her. My hand went out and brushed over the collar on her neck, grazing the cool heart lock.
“You ready to talk about the other night?” My finger slipped in the circle connecting the collar.
“What about it?”
“You climbed in my bed, which I’m not complaining about. It’s about time we make adjustments with this sleeping arrangement anyways. I’ve been too lenient with you.”
“Why have you? I mean you forced me into everything else. Why not your bed?”
“I’ve never had to force a woman in my bed before and I’m not starting now. Believe it or not, women would kill to be in your position. Sometimes I wonder if I need to make that happen, find a concubine to occupy my bed at night since my wife continues to neglects me.”
Her eyes cut into slits. She reached up and smacked my hand away from her. “The day that happens you better hope you had the best orgasm of your life because it’ll be your last.”
I chuckled at the deadliness in her voice, stepped back, and stuck my hands in my pockets.
One corner of my mouth ticked up. “Careful, Wildfire. I might think you actually care about me.”
“I just won’t tolerate being made a fool of or disrespected. I’ve killed for less.” Her eyes turned cold.
I wasn’t sure if she thought that was supposed to do something to me, but all it did was turn me on. Blood shot down to my dick.
“And as for the other night, it’s no big deal. I don’t like thunderstorms. A lot of people don’t.” She stood up and went to walk past me but I grabbed her.
“That’s not good enough. That wasn’t a normal fear.” Her nostrils flared and she licked her lips. “It is my birthday; you really can’t say no to me.”
For a moment she stared at me without saying anything before pushing out a deep breath. “My parents used storms as a way to punish and keep me in line to make me stronger, they said. It started when I was six, it was storming out and they locked me in a shed overnight. Since then, I’ve hated them and I go back to that night.” The way she spoke was as if she was revealing the weather forecast. Her voice was cool as a cucumber.
“The fuck.” My eyes widened and my brows shot to my hairline. I didn’t know what I expected her to say but that wasn’t it.
She snatched away from me and turned, heading in the direction of the bathroom. Digging into my back pocket, I checked the time. My parents were throwing me a thirtieth birthday dinner. They’d rented out the private room at one of the high-end restaurants downtown. Afterwards, I would be celebrating at The District. Tonight was officially a new era in my life
____
My party was in full swing. The District and Euphoria were maxed out to capacity. I had a full supply of drugs delivered before we opened to make sure we were fully stocked. We started down in The District, but once it started to fill up we went upstairs. I knew Cashlynn didn’t care to be in large crowds and there was more space upstairs.
It felt good seeing the fruits of my labor. Starting this club put a strain between me and my dad at first. I built it from the ground up and even though the Tavarez family name helped it grow as quickly as it did, I put the footwork in to make sure it stayed running and successful.
“Are you sure you switched the pills?” I asked Lucas as we stood in the owner section of Euphoria. My eyes were on Cashlynn who was nursing a drink while sitting on the couch.
Lucas side eyed me with his face turned upside down. “Are you questioning my medical expertise?”
“I’m just saying it’s been a month and nothing.”
“It takes time. Learn to be patient.”
My tongue dragged across my bottom lip as I brought my glass to my mouth and slowly sipped from it.
I walked across the section to where Cashlynn was sitting and sat down, placing my hand on her leg.
“Having a good time?” I asked.
“It’s your birthday. I should be asking you that.”
I leaned over and brushed my nose along her jawline. “True, but it’s my job to make sure my wife is taken care of.”
“I’m fine. You can go enjoy yourself if you want.”
Kissing her, I made my way up to her ear. “Are you gonna let me have my way with you, you know, since it’s my birthday?”
She breathed softly and brought her glass to her mouth.
“If I say no, are you gonna get a concubine?” Sarcasm dripped from her voice.
I pulled back and looked at her with a smirk. “Careful, wife, your jealousy is showing.”
She rolled her eyes, making me chuckle.
“Don’t worry Wildfire, you’re the only concubine I want.” I moved in and pecked her lips.
“You two are sickeningly cute,” Ezra shouted dramatically over the music, gaining my attention. I turned my head to look at him, seeing River and Emmet with him.
“Did you guys get it handled?”
“He’s delivered and waiting,” River said.
“And I gathered all the information on him,” Emmet said.
I grinned and nodded. “Good.” Giving my wife one last kiss, I stood up. “Now it’s a muthafuckin’ celebration!” I shouted and lifted my drink.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Ezra was already heading for the drinks on the table.
A couple of bottle girls came over with happy birthday sparklers and bottles of Cristal. A few of the girls came in to dance for my brothers and River. Emmet, like I expected, declined and sat to himself, nursing a drink. Ezra and River enjoyed the girls naked and dancing for them. Lucas had disappeared somewhere.
“We can’t have tonight go by without celebrating the boss man on his big day! Nazai, come to the stage,” Ian, the club manager, called out on the main stage.
I glanced up and smirked before heading out of the section. “Make sure you keep an eye on my wife. She doesn’t leave the section without one of you,” I told Jackson who stood guard along with Luke.
“Yes, sir.” He nodded.
I walked through the crowd, people were cheering and calling out my name. Happy birthdays were yelled all around me. I had to admit this was one hell of a way to start this next chapter of my life.