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

𝔼𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥y-ℕ𝕚𝕟𝕖

"I feel like a fucking detective or something," Riley rolled her eyes, making Xerxes laugh. She was still on about finding her grandpa. Ri knew he wasn't dead because if he were then, her Dad would've straight up told her.

Riley knew that her grandpa had to do something for Rodney not to talk to him. Rodney wasn't an outgoing person, and he didn't get upset over things too quickly. Unless you fuck with him, that's different.

"Riley," X sighed. "Just leave it alone. Maybe Pops is protecting you from him," He said, and she nodded.

"Okay fine. I'm only doing this because you said too. It's just I never met him or seen him, along with the rest of my cousins." She said. Xerxes nodded, then pulled her to him and kissed her on her forehead. Riley sighed as she laid her head on his chest.

"What were you going to do if you found him?"

"Go to him and find out what he did to make my father, auntie, and uncle resent him. Like I said, they all know it, but they're just hiding it," She sighed.

"I think if that was a reason that they walked away, Babygirl. It was a good one. We don't know what that man is capable of, and he could be an enemy besides family. All I can say is it'll all play out in the end, Ri. Maybe somethings are supposed to be kept hidden and never unlocked."

"Maybe."

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Peyton laid on her bed as she and Oriah talked. She was excited about starting back with her shoe designing, and her session with Barbara was good today. Barb helped her understand a lot of what was going on with her.

"My cousin said he'd help me get started, and Aunt Dele is willing to give me a try. I can't wait to start making designs again," Peyton smiled as she talked to Oriah through her headphones.

"Oh wow. You're into shoe design?" Oriah raised a brow.

"Yep. I started when I was around fourteen and actually made it out of something, but I stopped around sixteen."

"Why?"

"Well, because I just fell out of love with it. My dad and mom always spoiled me along with my aunties and uncles, so I stopped. I was being selfish and started living off of them. But now I've been finding myself again and realized I want to start making my own money."

"Oh wow. What happened?"

"What you mean?" Peyton asked.

"What pushed you to start back? It had to be something cause I know you just ain't up and thought that," Oriah looked at her through the screen.

"Uhm—"

"Sorry if I'm prying in your business too much," Oriah quickly said.

"No, it's fine. You know how many people say the reason they broke up with their significant other was because of the person treating them wrong and everything right?"

"Yeah? Where are you going with this?"

"I was that person. I treated my partner poorly, even when I had another chance at something good. I failed at that relationship, too, because I was obsessed with my previous partner. It's just I realized that it wasn't me, and I know I can do better. I've been falling back and trying to get myself back to the Peyton everyone knew before I started acting out. So now I'm just taking it day by day and understanding what I did wrong."

"Damn, Pey."

"No, don't feel pity for me. I feel pity for the women I fucked up with. It's my fault why they are the way they are now. I treated them bad, so I'm just getting my karma."