Köhler Lies and Deception Book 11 of The Köhler Series

Today's the Day

"You look nervous. Are you nervous nigga?" Elijah said, teasing Ephraim as he finished getting ready. The man was driving him crazy but made him see why Melody acted the way she did. She and her twin were alike, both loved to get high and aggravate the shit out of someone, but it made Eph feel special to be a part of a family.

"Elijah, leave the man alone."

"Who the fuck ask your old ass to speak? Ugly ass looking ass nigga. Wait, I forgot you're not a nigga. You're a wigga and an ugly one as that. Always thinking you can scare somebody. Wait until tomorrow... WHAT! ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING? TRY ME MUTHAFUCKA, AND I WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD!"

Instead of reacting, Victor sat back in his seat, allowing Elijah to continue to talk until Luca walked into the room. "Eli! Give me the blunt if you're going to be acting a fool. I don't have the patience for your crazy ways today."

"Are you feeling well, Ape Man?" Ephraim was amazed at how quickly his personality switched. One moment, he was driving his uncle crazy, and the next, he was worried about his dad. Yet, he understood the man's actions. They nearly lost their dad, and he seemed like something was bothering him or he wasn't feeling that well.

"I'm good, and Xerxes, sit your ass down. I don't need you playing doctor today. Elijah needs to understand when he can act like a fool and when he shouldn't, but I would like to speak with you, Ephraim."

"Y... yes, sir. Did I do something wrong?" He was relieved to see Luca shake his head, but everyone else sat there and stared. That alone made him scared, but he took a deep breath and sat.

"As a father, we do what we think is necessary to protect our daughters, and I think you understand what I mean. Except, I don't think I did my best with Melody. I'm unhappy with myself and how I made her marry Valentino. I thought him to be a good man until it was too late. Still, I did nothing to stop it. She loves you, and you love her; I will say this. I failed my princess the first time around, but I will not fail her this time. If you fuck up and hurt her, I won't hesitate to beat your ass. If not, kill you."

"Yes, sir, I understand, and I plan to treat her as a Queen."

"That's good to hear. Xerxes.... shit, this is your third marriage to Riley, and I swear you better make it work. If you hit a rough patch, come see me because there will be no more divorcing or cheating. I can't blame everything on you, and it hurt to see my son and the woman I helped raise like she was my own go through hell. I will not stand back this time. Do you understand?"

Ephraim's eyes found Xerxes. He sighed, looking down at the floor as if he was worried about something because once he looked up, He noticed the man's eyes were no longer blue.

They were green, and it creeped him out. "Yes, sir, I understand."

"Great, now on to my next task. Ephraim, I will start with you. Melody loves you, which means I love you like my son and since she decided to marry you, it means we are your family, and with us being a mafia. You need to know that means lying down your life for us if needed. Hopefully, that will never happen because I hate losing family members— Children especially. I wanted to give you both a speech about how to treat your wives, but it's not needed. I have seen the way you are with my daughter and X. You and Riley have come a long way. Now it's time to get married. Xerxes, son, you have to go meet up with your wife, and you can go with Elijah... no. I mean with Lucas or AJ because Elijah will probably talk you into running."

"Damn right bitch." Ephraim laughed at Elijah's craziness, but nothing could make him run from the woman he loved. This was forever for them.

"You should have let Uncle Rod walk you in. I feel like a damn fool about to walk down the aisle with my Dad." Melody complained as Riley laughed at the woman. She could always request Ephraim to do it, but it was her first wedding, and she wanted to do it right.