Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
There was a hum of approval from some of the members but Lukas remained unruffled, asking instead, “And how did you know the brakes in the cars were tempered? And what do you mean by that mercenary? I never released that part of the information to any of you,”he asked seriously.
“Huh?” Lance was taken aback by the question. He had been so impatient to land the first strike so that his father would be proud of him that he hadn’t thought about that part before speaking in the first place and now, he had no answer. Even if he had, Lukas’s intimidation made him forget all.
Lance then looked between the members in front of him trying to seek help but they looked away like they didn’t know him at all or understood what he wanted from them.
Victor stifled a burst of laughter, did they think Lukas would let them win this battle without a fight?
Lukas went on, “Don’t tell me you’ve been surveilling my activities because I’m sure as hell would kill you if that turns out to be true,” his expression was cold and blank as he promised him that.
Cold sweat formed on Lance’s face and his palm became clammy as he thought of what to say. He heard Daniel killed his own brother, who knows what his son Lukas would do to him, just a mere second cousin? After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Lance couldn’t even look his father in the eyes from where he sat knowing that the man must be utterly disappointed in him.
…..
He began to stutter, “I-I-“
“Like you said earlier… ” Arthur cut in and Lance released a breath he didn’t know he had been holding in. For once, he didn’t hate his brother for stealing the moment; he saved his life, “We were concerned about you as your family members and did some investigations, that was how we came about the information,”
“Oh yeah, I forgot about your gushing love for me,” No one laughed at Lukas’s great mild sarcastic, dry humor.
“That doesn’t excuse the fact that you hid such great information from us,” Gabriel landed his own strike with the opportunity.
But Lukas retorted with a scowl, “Mind you, I’m your boss, not your subordinate,” He warned.
“Maybe, that’s the problem,” said Benjamin’s wife, “We don’t know whether you’re still competent for this position,”
“Really?” Lukas relaxed against his seat, arms folded across his chest, “Are you?”
She didn’t reply to that but her partner in crime and supporter, Robert’s wife said, “From our reports, a shipment of weapons was stolen right under your nose by the same mercenary who tampered with the brakes on the car?”
There was a shocked gasp from them as soon as that information was disclosed or they pretended to be – they were quite good actors and actresses. And just like that, everyone in the room found solid ground to begin to throw blames on Lukas, highlighting his weakness and incompetencies.
Lukas in question didn’t say a thing, he just watched them one after the other, marking their faces and thinking of the suitable gift to give them once this was over.
It wasn’t until their complaints became a racket that Adele, who hasn’t spoken a word since the meeting began, suddenly shouted, “That’s enough!” banging her hand on the desk with enough force to silence everyone instantly.
“You spineless cowards!” She roared, the veins in her head nearly popping out from anger.
“What?!” Lance jerked up, offended, “You bitch! Who did you just call -!” But Victor who was beside the idiot simply tugged on his clothes and pulled him back down on his seat as if he had no worth.
Lance turned to glare at him but Victor spoke up first, “Let the lady speak first, manners,” He – Victor – patted him on the cheek and Lance didn’t dare to retaliate with Lukas watching him. He remained still.
Adele continued when everyone settled, “I did not come here for this! If you are all so intent on removing Lukas, our current boss, then do that and stop beating around the bush!” She thundered, her voice carrying authority, and Lukas smiled from where he was. That was easier said than done, why does she think they were chipping at him like women?
“Yes, do that!” Cindy agreed immediately after Adele, “I can’t wait for my brother to take over!” She said out loud to everyone’s hearing.
Adele gave her a warning look and she retorted, “What?! Isn’t everyone entitled to their opinion? You’ve said yours, now’s mine, so don’t look at me that way,” Cindy said brusquely, playing with the ends of her hair without a care.
And that particular hair, Lukas stared at it a little too long, some ideas forming in his head.
Finally, Daniel stood up from his seat to speak, and order descended into the hall without him asking for it. That was how much they feared him.
“We’ve all heard your opinions and I’m on the stand….” Not “we”, everyone understood Daniel’s tyranny, “That Lukas is not going anyway, not just because he’s my son but the fact that there has been a noticeable change in our family since he seized power….”
Lukas took a deep breath, the old man never forgets to point that out.
“He tripled our income and the fact that you all live fine today is out of my son’s sweat and sacrifice!” Daniel reminded them of that and one could see the uncomfortable look on their faces knowing that he was right yet they wouldn’t admit it.
Lukas was trying to figure out his father when his phone beeped with a message and he glanced down at it before turning to Victor having known that it was from him.
His cousin gestured at him to open the message and he did, only to see,
[Dude, I’m confused, is your father on our side or not?]
Who Is The Capable One Here
Was his father on his side? Only a fool would believe that just because he was the son of the devil, he would receive special treatment? But no, the devil doesn’t care about blood relationships because his objective was to condition him to perfection; till he had no flaws and was a great legacy to behold.
[Don’t be deceived, he’s on no one’s side] Lukas sent the message to Victor who opened it right away.
In no time, another message beeped into his phone a few seconds after Victor was done with his typing.
[ You think he knows their plan and would support them? Damn, what’s the point of having an overpowered father]
Lukas smiled at Victor’s sense of humor, he typed,
[That overpowered father was humiliated by his only son when he snatched his throne. Daniel would do anything, even if it means siding with his enemies or facilitating their plans just to make me frustrated and come begging on my knees for his help. In one word, O. M. O. I’m on my own.]
Victor would have continued typing had Daniel not announced, “However, all this wouldn’t have happened if Lukas had been more careful and had a helper by his side. For this reason, he would be choosing an underboss right now and here,”
At that announcement, there was a murmur from the crowd. This was a suggestion that they had been waiting to bring up at the right time, hence Daniel of all people bringing that up when he clearly knew the result would be unfavorable for his son only made them uneasy and anxious. What was that old hag planning?
“Does anyone object to this suggestion?” Daniel asked as a precaution before the election began else one claims partiality.
…..
He turned to Lukas when no one from his side complained, “Do you object to this move? If you do, give us a solid reason why you shouldn’t have an underboss and I’d review that with my companions here,” He hinted to the elder family members by his side.
And just like that, Daniel took over the plans they carefully plotted over the week for this very moment. They didn’t know whether to laugh or just cry in despair.
“Of course, not!” Lukas said to Victor’s shock. What was that idiot talking about? Lukas should have rejected the notion now he had the opportunity especially when he knew he had no solution to the underboss problem…..
Unless he did. That sly cousin of his!
Lukas continued, “The idea of me having an underboss has long been overdue and I think now’s the perfect time to choose my second in command with eligible candidates all gathered around me,”
None of them noticed the dark glint in Lukas’s eyes, he was having the time of his life. Instead, they all stood straighter trying to appear professional and might as well have carried a tag on their head that says, “Choose Me, Lukas,”