Dynasty (Boys of Winter 1)

“It’s the least I could do for Andrew. He would have done the same had the tables been turned,” he explains. “Though I do warn you, the position that you are inheriting should not be taken lightly. There is much to learn, and what comes with great power also comes with great burden. I will do my best to guide you through it.”

“Thank you,” I whisper again before glancing up at the proud man who stands tall behind him. King meets my eye and winks, and for the first time this morning, I feel as though I just did something right.

I glance around the room. “Is that it or can we wrap this thing up?”

The gentleman who sits directly between Tobias King and Mr. Danforth stands. “Sebastian Whitman, Miss Ravenwood,” he says, introducing himself. “There is the matter of your wellbeing over the past few weeks.”

“I’m sorry?” I ask, watching both Cruz and King flinch and tense at his words.

“The sons of my fellow families were tasked with your protection on your arrival in Ravenwood Heights. I would like to call on Dante Carver, Grayson Beckett, Hunter King, and Cruz Danforth to find out exactly what has been going on. It has come to my attention that not only did you fall into the hands of Sam Delacorte and were put to auction, but you were arrested on murder charges, and have been involved in many violent altercations.”

I raise my brows as I see the four guys shifting in their spots ready to stand front and center to explain themselves, but I hold up a hand, stopping them. “You can call on them all you like, but this is on me. They are not at fault. They kept me safe when it mattered. Yes, I fell into the hands of Sam Delacorte after I went against Kin—Hunter’s warnings to stay away. I was arrested on murder charges because I killed the man who offered me up to Sam. And as for the altercations … what can I say? When someone tries to fuck with me or put their hands on my body, I simply handle my business, just as you’ve all taught your own sons and daughters to do. But when twelve hitmen were sent after me, those four boys were exactly where I needed them, and for that, you cannot fault them. They have done everything in their power to keep me safe despite the shots that continuously keep coming our way. So, you can punish them, but you will be punishing me right along with them.”

Sebastian looks across the table at Carver and Grayson before looking around the table. “All in favor to excuse these four men of their reckless endangerment of our leader, Miss Elodie Ravenwood, raise your right hand.”

I look around the table and see every hand risen and realize that all eyes are on me. “How do you vote?” Earnest asks from beside me.

“Oh, um …” I raise my right hand. “They shall be excused.”

“Very well,” Sebastian says, taking his seat. “Unless anyone else has anything to add …” He lets his sentence trail off, and as silence falls through the room, the meeting is classified as done.

Without another word, the gentlemen around the table stand and begin excusing themselves from the room with their families on their heels, but I remain in my seat, watching each of them closely, especially the eight who stand to my left. Gazes shift across the room, and before they even walk through the door, I know without a doubt that they’re already conspiring against me.

Each of the guys walk out with their families and I’m left alone in the big room. It’s stupid. I shouldn’t remain here and put myself at risk like this but something keeps me seated.

A war is brewing.

I slowly stand, looking out over the empty table, realizing just how toxic Dynasty really is. It’s an organization that may have once stood proud, built on the foundation of loyalty, but now it is anything but. It’s family against family, it’s secrets, lies, and cover-ups. It’s brutal murders, it’s devastation, it’s a complete disgrace, and I refuse to be the leader of it.

Carver has made it clear that it’s not something I can just walk away from. It’s in my blood and I am the only heir, so I will do what I have to do.

I will stand tall and accept my position. I will gain their trust and be their leader. I will govern their practices and guide their hearts, and just when I can finally stand proudly before them as the woman my father and grandfather always wanted me to be …

I’m going to burn it all to hell—the boys be damned.

CHAPTER 37

The black silk gown wraps around my body like a second skin, and I slap on a fake smile as I make my way down the grand staircase that leads into the most stunning ballroom I’ve ever seen, or perhaps the only ballroom I’ve ever seen.