By My Rules - Chapter 9

Chapter 9 After Drake was taken away, the Leon family didn't immediately settle back into calm. On the contrary, the real shockwaves only began the next day. Several members most closely tied to him severed ties overnight to save themselves. Some burned ledgers, some fled out of state, and a few rushed to the Godfather first, hoping to weep and lay all the blame for Drake at his feet. 'The Godfather's men came to see me, saying the council of elders wanted to hold an early meeting to reconsider control of the port district. I knew they weren't here to help me; they were testing me.

Once Drake was out of the picture, they started coveting the power I held. So, I went. The council met in the underground chamber of the old estate. 'There were seven chairs, but six were occupied. The empty one had always been Drake's seat. The moment I entered, someone spoke up. "Consigliere, this mess has gotten out of hand." "The family needs stability right now, not more bloodshed." "Violet, we all know how hard you've worked over the years. But a woman of your age...

should be thinking of starting a family, not competing with the young ones." I did only one thing in response: I took off the family ring and set it on the table. The room went silent. "Have you forgotten," I said, looking at them, "who handed this ring to me in the first place?" No one answered. "The night the Godfather was attacked, I took two bullets for him. I also led the raid on the traitor's warehouse that very night.

You're all here today because, over all these years, I've protected the books, the routes, and your heads." Isaid each word deliberately, then tossed a stack of new files onto the table. They were the extended lists from the Drake case. Each name had amounts, dates, and transaction records next to it. "I didn't come here today to be taught how to run things," I said, scanning the room. "I came to give you choices. The first is to hand over all shipping routes related to Drake and save your own lives. The second is, try to play me, and you'll end up just like him." Someone bristled.

"What kind of attitude is that?" "My attitude depends entirely on what kind of people you are," I replied. Isat down and looked around. "Anyone who wants the port, just say it. Don't hide behind the excuse of stability. You're not afraid of disorder in the family; you're afraid I'll have time to find out what you've been up to." The elder on the far left immediately turned grim. "You're insolent!" "Mnsolent?" I pushed a document toward him. "Then explain why three shipments of arms that disappeared from East Dock Six last September ended up in your nephew's warehouse." His face fell.