Her Deadly Friends

Chapter 39

Dean Pov

I turned to the organization speaker. He's been the speaker for as long as I can remember. He makes all the announcements.

"Ladies and gentlemen. The day we have been waiting for is here. Our leader is here." Mumbling could be heard amongst the crowd.

"He's done working behind the scenes. He wants you all to see him. And not only that, he will name his successor tonight. I want you all to know that he's very happy and proud of each sector's numbers, very proud. He wants to let you know that rewards will be handed down."

Everyone clapped and cheered.

"Without further ado, I give you your American sector leader."

Everyone started to clap. The large doors opened. A hush fell amongst the crowd.

I started laughing. A belly laugh. I looked over at Tasha. "Did you know?"

She shook her head.

"Mr. Artusian, Danny's grandfather came walking in with the manner of a leader and fighter. His big, barreled chest could barely be contained in his black dress shirt. If that wasn't shocking enough. The beautiful regal woman beside him was topping that. Her hair was up in a Grecian style with a flower reef woven through it. Her long white Grecian style dress flowed around her. She smiled up at him with love and happiness. Then she looked down to her other side and smiled at the beautiful little toddler that was stumbling beside her. She also had on a white dress and with a flower reef.

I stepped to them, but I was quickly grabbed. I looked at Tasha. "What are you going to say, Dean? Don't do this now."

"That's my family."

"A family that you didn't want. And suddenly you do. Look at who she is. This will not go your way."

"I don't give a fuck about that."

"It will ruin everything you've worked hard for. Don't do it this way."

I looked back to the raise dais that they were walking on. Danny placed Kyleigh in her lap. Kyleigh wanted to get down. Danny whispered something to her. She giggled and still tried to get down to walk.

"Pa," Kyleigh screamed. Danny let her down. Kyleigh walked over to her grandfather and reached for him. He smiled down at her and looked at her with so much love before he picked her up. When he stood, he nodded to his left. Guards came and crowded the dais, making everyone back up. I can tell he wasn't taking any chances. He handed Kyleigh back to Danny. A guard came and whispered in Mr. Artusian's ear. He nodded then walked to the podium. The same guard walked to Danny. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. She rolled her eyes then smiled. He kissed Kyleigh's forehead before he walked off the stage.

I say raw red. I shook Tasha's hand off mine when she tried to grab me again. I was in the back of the crowd behind the columns. Now I'm in full view. They will let me see my family or there will be hell to pay.

"Thank you all for coming here tonight. I know this has been long overdue, and I appreciate your patience."

His voice boomed as I walked closer. The great room was huge, but it seems smaller tonight because so many people are here. There are never this many people here at the same time. I myself haven't been to a meeting in months. I wouldn't have been at this one if it wasn't mandatory.

I am still in disbelief. Nothing really surprises me anymore. But this. I shook my head as I made my way through the crowd. This was most definitely a surprise. He knew who Kyle and I was the whole time.

I almost bumped into my mother. "Are you really about to interrupt the leader while he gives his speech?"

I can't believe she is so calm. She will most definitely be targeted. "Do you know who that is? How delusional are you? That's Danny and my child. That man is her grandfather."

She looked at the stage again. Really looked. Back then Danny was always afraid. Her eyes were always bucked with fear. Her eyes were always red rimmed. She probably looked different, but she didn't look that much different. My mother is an idiot.

She paled. Her skin became clammy. "We're over. We are finished. She will ruin us."

I didn't care about any of that. I want my fucking family.

"While I'm here, I would like to address a matter. What we do here is for the good of us and our survival. Everyone must pull their share of work. But some have not." Several clan members started shifting around and mumbling.

"They are just reaping the benefits without any of the blood, sweat and tears. I myself have been in mourning, but I still made sure to put in the work. I made sure you all were safe while you bring prosperity and power to our organization. With that been said, will the families Clark, Martin, Walker and Torress step forward please."

More mumbling and shifting while the families stepped forward.

"Take a look at these families. They have been enjoying every luxury this clan provides without lifting a single finger to contribute. Why the council hasn't done anything about this is baffling. It seems they need to be on the chopping block as well." His voice was getting deeper. He was getting pissed.

He suddenly chuckled darkly. "Haven't you ever heard the saying, if a man don't work, he don't eat." He tilted his head to his guards. They rolled several guillotines out there on the floor. My interest was pique. The families started to fight and tried to run, but the guards formed a circle around them.

I looked over at Danny to see how she was taking this all in. She was cooing to Kyleigh. Kyleigh laughed and clapped.

One man from the Martin family said, "you can't do this without a notice or a warning," he was fighting against the guards.

A shot rang out. Mr. Martin fell. "There's your warning," Mr. Artusian said while putting his gun back in his waist.

A hush fell on the crowd. People were getting nervous. Not me, though. I don't give a fuck. My numbers are through the roof. I have nothing to fear. I want my fucking family.

All the guards came and grabbed each male of the family and led them to the guillotine.

"I want to be clear, members. These men are not dying today because of incompetence. They have betrayed us in the worst way." He put images up on the screen behind him of the families meeting with foreign investors. Offering them a better deal. We don't deal. It's our way or no way. But these five families didn't have the muscle to make anyone comply. If you bring in numbers you get guards. You get protection. Or you can simply hire your own guards, which I choose to do.

"Let this be an example of under the table dealing." He nodded to the guards. They hit the men in the back of the head with their guns and made them drop to their knees. Their wives screamed and reached for them but were held back by the guards. In one clean slice, their heads were rolling into the baskets on the other side. You could hear their wives' screams shaking the room.

"Quiet," Mr. Artusian growled at the women when Kyleigh started screaming and crying.

"You cry for these traitors. Should I assume you knew their business dealings?" He asked them.

They sobered up quickly. "No, sir. We didn't know anything."

"Hmm, you are free to go. You may come back to the clan after a year. In that time, you will receive a small member's stipend. It won't be much, so I suggest you get a job."

The guards remove them from the hall.

"Now. Onto more happy business."