𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗲

46 - You Win Some You Lose Some.

"Why do we kill people who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?"

- Holly Near

I never realized how painful it could be to be so fucking angry at someone you used to love. Love? I wasn't even sure if I loved her anymore, but one thing's for sure - I was pissed as hell. I hated that I let her into my family. I hated that I trusted her and thought she was different. Frank fucking Monroe was now my enemy, plain and simple.

I buried my cousin yesterday. Daniel was every bit his father's son - corrupt to the bone - but he was still family. He was like a little brother to me. I taught him how to ride a bike, showed him how to throw his first punch. We might not have stayed close as we grew up, but I still cared about him. And she killed him. Even though I begged her not to pull the trigger, she did. The cold look on her face made it clear she couldn't give a fuck about me.

The ache in my chest was relentless, a steady reminder of the trust she shattered. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms as I replayed the moment in my mind. Her finger squeezing the trigger, the gunshot echoing in the Jamie's basement, Daniel's body hitting the floor - each image burned into my brain.

Zane shoved the office door open and plopped down across from me. He locked eyes with me, his look screaming the question he didn’t even have to voice. "How do you want to handle this?" he asked, his tone grim. Zane never liked Daniel, none of my men did, for that matter, but they respected him because of me.

How did I want to handle this? For the first time ever, I had no fucking clue. Anger, hate, and bitterness were battling it out inside me. I wanted to drag Frankie down to my basement, tie her up, and wait for my plans to come to fruition. But this wasn’t just a personal vendetta - it meant going up against Conor, a man I respected and admired more than anyone. I'd never want to cross him or lose his respect.

Zane must have seen the storm in my eyes because he added, "Big Solly and The Don would burn Chicago to the ground if we touched a hair on her head. But, more importantly, do you really want to hurt her?"

Fucking Zane. He knew the answer but still fucking asked. Defying both him and myself I spat angrily, "I do! She fucking killed Daniel!"

Zane scoffed, his tone devoid of any real humor. "I don't know what's worse, you lying to me or lying to yourself."

"Zane!" I growled, warning him to back off.

"Don't give me that crap, Hector," he shot back, his brows knitting together. "It's not like Daniel didn't have it coming!"

"Zane!" I roared, my patience running thin.

"Just tell me you wouldn't do the same if someone threatened Maddie!" he spat, lighting the fuse to my rage. "Tell me that, and I'll shut up."

I shot up from my seat and stood right in his face, my anger boiling over. "Get the fuck out of here!"

Seething, Zane didn't say another word and stormed out of my office. The last thing I needed was him being the voice of reason. At least I could take some solace knowing Theodore would be coming home soon after hearing about his son's death, and maybe that would help cool my rage.