[ON GOING] All Of Me 18+ Only (Book 3 of Lastor series) #Wattys2020

Chapter 19

Artie took in my appearance with a grim expression as I stepped out of the limo but said nothing. His assistant opened the door to the coffee shop and, as I entered, I halted in my steps at the sight of Georgiana and Rob, along with his pet bastard, sitting at a table.

"Didn't I say to close up shop for the day?" I bit out in annoyance, sending a sideways glare to Artie.

"They refused to leave," he replied grudgingly. "I felt it was more discreet to let them wait inside instead of out in the street."

I sighed, glancing at the back of the coffee shop where a lone woman sat at a table with two suited men standing at either side of her. Stella lifted her hand in an awkward wave and I nodded curtly in return before bringing my attention on them again.

I licked at the cut in my cheek, eyeing them individually and setting my gaze on Rob. "Haven't been here for half a day and I've already got you vermin slithering all over me."

He shrugged as he took a sip from his coffee before setting it lightly on the saucer. "I'd heard my favorite niece had returned. I couldn't not stage a welcoming committee."

I rolled my eyes, turning to Artie. "You got my message?"

He nodded. "I've relayed the orders."

"And Trev?"

"Sophie's currently following a lead Ash found. I'm waiting for an update."

I took out my phone and handed it to him. "The screen shattered. I need a new one," I said before going up to Rob and his daughters. "I'm busy. You with me or looking to poach?"

He grinned. "Just awaiting your beckoning."

"You cleared it with the old man?"

His grin turned into a devilish smirk. "Who do you think enlightened him in the ways of bargaining with the Reaper without losing his soul?"

"Ah, so you're responsible for my enslavement?" I countered, stuffing my hands in the pockets of my jacket.

He laughed, clapping his hands together. "I reckoned it would make for an interesting war game if the stakes were raised just a tad."

I cocked my head at Georgiana. "And what's she here for?"

"Oh, we just happened upon each other outside," he said flippantly.

"I'm here to help," Georgiana piped up.

My brows furrowed. "Help who? Me? Is that mockery?" I asked, shifting to face her. She tensed but kept her posture firm. "Bottom feeders have no place in my ranks and I don't have the patience to tolerate a fly on the wall. Fuck off."

She scoffed in disbelief, glancing at her father but he merely shrugged in response. "You're my mentor. You're supposed to-"

I slammed a palm on the table, the dishes clamoring loudly in the silence of the empty café. I took a deep breath to steady myself, remembering Stella was here and I didn't want to risk causing her to go into labor prematurely by witnessing me massacre my annoying relatives.

"I am..." I began, keeping my voice soft. "Just... so ​sick... of people telling me what I'm supposed to do." I took another deep breath, pushing my fingers through my hair. "In the event where there is no seated Head, all existing directives made by the previous are voided until a new Head is elected and the council's authority is also stripped." I straightened, pulling at the lapels of my jacket. "The first seat will stand as the sole governing body of the family for as long as the election and on going conflict remains unresolved. I'm officially released from any obligation to tolerate you. So, again, kindly fuck off."