Chapter 6 LIES AND SECRETS

Dalla 

“Make me.” Dalla whispered, giving Tobias a defiant smile.

Tobias hand moved slowly from the back of Dalla’s head, to his neck. Not violently, but enough to assert dominance. 

Dalla could feel the dread, settling in his stomach. 

“Your're playing a lost game boy. Whatever she said-” the loud wail of the alarm stopped him halfway. 

He shielded him instantly, as he backed him into another corner. 

“Its a fucking vehicle.” Tobias cursed as he moved towards the door, giving Dalla one last glance. 

“Stay back.” Tobias barked. 

Dalla’s heart hammered, as the context of the message replayed in his head. “You're next.” 

If it was some days back, he wouldn't shake at the thought of dying, instead he would Gladyly embrace it. 

But the thought of dying without getting justice for Liam just didn't seem right. 

He took one step and stopped. What if Tobias planned this? 

The sound of tyres Screeching interrupted his thoughts. 

A slick black Maybach with tinted windows rolled in, alongside other cars. 

The driver stepped out, opening the door for the person inside. 

Jethro Crux. 

He stepped out with a creepy smile plastered on his face as he walked towards Tobias in his Italian-tailored suit. 

“Long time no see, old friend.” He smiled, stretching his hands towards Tobias. 

Tobias stared at his hand for what felt like a minute, before finally taking it. 

He laughed as he walked inside the building with Tobias by his side, and his guards scattered around the compound.

Dalla composed himself instantly as Jethro walked into the house. If there was anything Dalla knew how to do well, it was pretending. 

“Dalla.” Jethro Exhaled. “You look well rested.” He smiled.

“The Don has been extra worried since the Cemetery incident. I told him you were in good hands.” He said, giving Tobias one glance and then looking back at Dalla. 

Dalla forced a lazy smirk as he grabbed a bottle of scotch from the kitchen Cabinet. He poured to glasses, handing one to Jethro with a smile plastered on his face. 

“Or he sent you here to make sure his investment wasn’t affected by the recent threats.” Dalla sipped, watching Jethro’s expression. 

He smiled, but his smile never reached his eyes. He turned to Tobias immediately “Slate, walk with me. I need the full details on what happened earlier.” 

Tobias nodded, following him without a word. Dalla didn't even notice when he put on a shirt. 

He led him down to the Armory. Jethro moved around, inspecting the Weapon rack with a smirk on his face. 

He moved to where the bodies were, assessing them, before signaling his men to put them in body bags and take them out. 

“Impressive. You've always been good at what you do.” 

“I just do what I'm paid for.” 

Jethro scoffed, letting out a long sigh before finally speaking. 

“The don values Efficiency. To the best of my knowledge, you were paid for two reasons.

Protect the Heir, and make him fit to be an Heir. Youve successfully done one part, but you seem to be slow on the other aspect. Or should we opt for option B?” 

Dalla was pressed against the wall downstairs, listening to their conversation. 

Immediately the last words left Jethro’s mouth, new wave of panic shot through Dalla’s veins. 

What was option B? 

“No.” Tobias flatly answered. 

“Good. Don't let me request for a second review. Philip wouldn’t like that. We pay you good Slate, I don't want to bring this up to Silas for the sake of old times. Do your job and maintain boundaries with that boy. “

Tobias fingers tighen around each other, his knuckles turning white. 

“The Mulvaney family won't have any need for a second review.” 

Jethro smiled.” Very good.” he patted Tobias's shoulder as he walked past him. 

He halted immediately. “His drinking, Whoring and other bad habits needs to stop. We can't afford to have another Heir compromising the family line.” 

Dalla almost choked on his own breathing. 

“Another heir? Compromise?” he had finally confirmed his suspicion. Jethro was fully involved in his brothers death, alongside Tobias. 

“There won't be any compromise.” Tobias responded without turning back.

“Good.” 

That was Dalla’s Queue to leave, but a man like Jethro was smart. He had said everything because he knew Dalla was outside. 

Dalla ran off as soon as he heard the footsteps. 

Tobias' eyes locked with Dalla’s as soon as he and Jethro came up. 

The tension was thick. Thick enough for a knife to cut through. 

Jethro stared at them one last time and turned away. He looked to Tobias, "Keep Dala out of trouble. The kid has a thing for poking his nose in other people's businesses." 

Immediately the engine of his Maybach faded away, Tobias turned to Dalla, his voice now low and dangerous. 

"Whatever you're hiding, Dalla, it ends now. I don't want to know what it is, and I don't know what your involvement with it is, but you do not want to mess with a man like Jethro."

"Or what?" Dala purred.

Tobias stepped closer, his hands pressed on his throat, pinning him against the wall. 

"Don't make me repeat myself, boy. You do not know Jethro like I do. Be careful." 

Dalla choked, tapping Tobias's hand to free him. 

Tobias stared at him one last time and then took his hand off. 

Dalla held the wall for support, as his hand rubbed on the spot Tobias had obviously bruised.

"Maybe you are also involved in his dirty dealings."

Tobias turned one last time, staring at Dalla.

"Maybe,"