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

𝕆𝕟𝕖 ℍ𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕋𝕨𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕪-𝔽𝕚𝕧𝕖|Unexpected

A few days after the gala, Xerxes was in the office with Riley talking over some stuff about the jewelry line that he had started. Heaven and Neveah had to open their big ass mouths at the gala, letting their parents know about something that wasn't ready yet. X should have known not to tell their asses shit. The fact was it was their money, and they could do what they damn well pleased with it, but he couldn't manage it alone.

"Ask Lucas to help."

"I would, but he has a lot on his plate now. Luke and Talia are part owners of Dad's finance company. Then he helps your Mom, Dad, and Peyton. Plus, he's a designer for OffGrid," Xerxes said, making Riley nod her head.

"Why all you are got to be fucking talented?"

"Babygirl, don't act like you ain't. How the fuck do you think OffGrid started? You and your little sketches of children's clothes. Luke and I just enhanced it...."

"Yeah, you right... What about Mel?"

"Melody is still mad at me. For a new reason now," X shrugged, making Riley stared at him as he scratched Max's head.

"What did you do?"

"I was thinking about buying some girl dogs and breeding them with Max and the rest. What do you think? We will make a killing off of selling Cane Caro's."

"I thought they were fixed... Adriel, I see what you are doing. What the fuck did you do?"

"Nothing. Val came to me the night you when into labor. Telling me their house was ready and asking for permission to move in. I denied it. I don't quite trust Valentino yet. Who beats someone to toughen them up? The bastard beat my little sister to mold her into the way he wanted her. Scared and submitting to him like a fucking dog." Xerxes said, making Riley stare at him then the floor.

"What?"

"You think she got Eli's bad karma? For what he did to Riah?"

"I don't believe in that shit Babygirl. That was so we all would have bad karma for the shit we have done. Some people or eviler than others. We somewhat have a heart, but some are just dumb as hell and do dumb shit. Like Valentino, he could have gone about Mel a whole different way, but he chose to ruin the trust between the two of us."

"Do you think he meant to sign over his mafia?"

"No... no, I don't. Mr. Blend told me that the paper about the alliance was written before his father passed. The only thing new was his marriage to Melody. The old man made sure that was in the fine print." He said as a knock came on the door.

"Door!" Xavier yelled.

"Come in," Xylia said, clapping, making Xerxes and Riley laughed. They thought they were the little bosses.

"Don, I have what you asked for... Your mother wanted me to ask how is the medication working?" Dominque asked, making Xerxes look over to his. He didn't know because he wasn't taking the shit.

"He's doing good, Dominque. You can tell my mother-in-law I told you so."

"Yes, Donna." She said, leaving as Xerxes opened the envelope.

"You think she knew we were lying."

"Don't care, and I give not one fuck. I told Ma I wasn't taking the pills...."

"What is that?" Riley asked as she watched Xerxes knit his eyebrows together and picking up his phone, texting someone. Moments later, Killa walked through the door with a confused look.

"Grandson, I don't need you to confirm what I already know...."

"You know you were misdiagnosed? Killa, you are not dying. You never were. You are sick, yeah, but it isn't cancer."