Next in Line (Monarch of the Kohler Mafia) Book 5 of the Köhler Series

𝔽𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕪-𝕊𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟

Riley turned over, feeling no one making her get up. She was confused at first, then remembered that she wasn't in Germany. Still, Xerxes wasn't in bed with her. They left the babies with his parents, so he should have been there.

Xerxes, on the other hand, needed to clear his head. He woke up early to go on a morning jog. Today was the funeral, and they had come back home to Washington DC to mourn the death of their monarchs. Riley's grandparents and Uncle Gunz were just as much his family as hers. Their deaths, along with his uncle, did something to him.

Riley sighed. Getting out of bed, she went to take her a shower after doing her hygiene. She began putting on her all-black dress. At this time, X decided to come through the door all sweaty, giving her a small smile before disappearing into the bathroom to shower.

She sat there and waited as he finished, then coming out doing the same as she did. He put on his all-black attire as she put on her sandals and grabbing her phone. Xerxes stood holding out his hand, then left the bedroom going downstairs, seeing everyone in the foyer.

"Let's get this over with," Paris sighed, and they all nodded as they got into their cars. Making it to the funeral, they all sat in the seats as the Reverend said his words.

"Would anyone like to say anything?" He asked, and no one responded.

"We're fine, preach. We just want to get this over with," Paris told the man, and he nodded. After the funeral, they went to the repass, which none of them really cared for since they could always do it on their own time.

RJ sighed, seeing his grandparents and uncles going into the ground. He left everyone going to Ant's grave. RJ sat down, taking off his chain, putting it on the gravestone like he did every time. Xerxes stood back and watched. He noticed how his brother-in-law missed his best friend.

"Hey Ant, I haven't seen you in a while. My fault. It's just hard coming here knowing you'll never return even after 18 years. It's even harder now cause I'll have to visit my grandparents and uncle. You might not see them cause your ass actually probably made it to Heaven, but their asses didn't," He chuckled. "If you are there, I wouldn't be surprised all that lying your ass use to do. But your niece and nephew straight, even though you never met them." RJ sighed, feeling tears come down his face.

RJ hated showing emotion, but right now, he had to. He refused to keep holding in how he was feeling. It was killing him. He was so in tune with his emotions he didn't even know Riley sat beside him, as did Peyton. Still, X stood back in the distanced watching.

"They're your family too," Rodney said, making X look over to him. "I know, but sometimes siblings need each other. I know if I lost my grandparents, I would, and RJ needs his sisters. It's hard to lose the only family you had for a long time to stupidness. It's also hard to lose a long-time friend because he wanted what you have," X said, making Rodney stare at him for a moment, then nodded.

"It gets better. You and Riley have each other remember. You have to be strong for your wife and babies... My daughter and grandbabies..." He said, patting his shoulder walking away.

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.

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Riley wiped his tears, making him look up at her. "You're gonna be just fine, Quinton. I know it's hard cause it's killing me too. But they wouldn't want us here doing this cause they'd want us to get revenge,"

"Ri, I understand that, but it's okay to cry. Yes, we'll get our vengeance, but it's alright to shed a fucking tear."

"You think I haven't? I shredded too many." She said, making him sigh as they sat in silence. After a while, the entire family met him on the floor except for Paris and Rodney. They just stood, listening to their children.