Chapter 204

"The problem is that Dad hasn't made a will, Williams." Elias's voice was low, but every word carried weight. He leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. Frustration simmered just beneath the surface. “If he dies suddenly without leaving anything official behind, Vane automatically inherits a third of the family fortune under inter-state succession laws."

Williams stared at him like he'd just been slapped. "A third? What the hell for?"

Elias's jaw clenched. "Because he's Xander Verrick's blood, same as you and me. Doesn't matter if he's been estranged. The law doesn't care about personal grudges."

"Bullshit,” Williams muttered, shaking his head. "That bastard's done nothing for this family. How the hell can he just swoop in and take what we've bled for?"

"That's the law. Like it or not," Elias said, voice tight. "Which is why Dad can't die. Not yet. We need him alive long enough to make a will. One that leaves everything to you and me."

"And you think he'll go along with that?" Williams asked, raising a skeptical brow. "He listens to me," Elias said flatly. "I'll make sure it happens."

Williams huffed, tapping his foot, his nerves taut. "Only problem is, we need that damn pill to keep him breathing long enough for any of this to matter."

Elias leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "That's where you come in. Go to Vane. Get that pill. I don't care how you do it."

A slow smile crept across Williams's face. "Consider it done. I'll bring Daniel and the boys. If Vane wants to play hardball, we'll beat him into handing it over."

Williams found out where they were. Jaden and Vane's family were having dinner at Miracle Avenue.

He didn't bother playing it subtle.

Flanked by Daniel and a half-dozen of his thugs, Williams strode toward the restaurant entrance like he

owned the place is eyes were cold. His mind was already playing out how this confrontation would go.

But before he could take a step past the entryway, he stopped short.

Twelve men in sleek black suits stood in formation at the frontē doors. They didn't move. They didn't

speak. They just stood behind

Watt made of muscle, eyes hidden behind dark shades, earpieces gleaming.

"What the hell is this?" Williams hissed.

One of the men stepped forward. A large, flat-faced man with a dark greenish birthmark across the left side of his cheek. His presence alone made the group behind Williams pause.

The man spoke, his voice calm but

laced with steel. "Mr. Morix Sable has instructed us to lock down the venue. No guests. No exceptions. Some very important people are inside

nd he doe not want them t

disturbed.

Williams's nostrils flared. "You serious? Get out of my way."

Before the man could respond, Daniel barked, "Move, freak. We're not here to dine. We're here for someone."

The man didn't blink. "Then you picked the wrong night. And the wrong door."

Daniel took a step forward, puffing out his chest. “Get out of my sight, you green- faced monster."

Moni's gaze dropped slowly from Daniel's face to his feet and back up again. Then he tilted his head.

"You've got some nerve," he said coolly, "showing up at Mr. Sable's turf and shouting like this."

He stepped forward, and instantly the other guards subtly shifted with him, closing ranks, ready to explode at a word.

Moni locked eyes with Williams. "This is your last chance. Turn around and walk away. Or I promise you, the only way you'll leave here tonight is in stretchers."