Chapter 3 So Silas lied
Zella
“I know, Ma,” Dante said, looking at me with his wide eyes.
I reached out and touched his cheek.
“You want Mama to stay this time?” I asked.
He nodded at once.
“I know you are not really my mama,” he said, honest in a way only a child can be. “But I like you better.”
I did not expect that from him. I had no answer ready.
“I will stay with you,” I told him. “I will not leave, but you have to promise me something. Do not tell anyone that I am not your real mama. Promise me.”
“I promise,” he said quickly. “But tomorrow, you have to take me to school.”
I smiled at him. He is smart for his age, smarter than he should be.
At the same time, I could not stop thinking about my sister. The way she treated him. The way she walked away from him. I can not understand it. If he were my child, I would never let him feel alone like this. Not even in my imagination. I lay down beside him and fell asleep soon after.
Rowan POV
I walked into Dante’s room and stopped by the bed. Zella was asleep, holding him close. Dante had moved halfway onto her, like he was afraid she might disappear if he let go.
My eyes moved to her stomach. It was flat. No mark. No sign she had ever carried a child.
So Silas lied.
My jaw clenched as I reached out and took her hand. I looked at her face while she slept. She looked peaceful, like she did not carry any of the mess she just walked into.
I stood there without moving. Then I let go and stepped back. I left the room without making a sound and went straight to my office downstairs.
A few minutes later, the three men I trust most came in. Darren, Samuel and Xavier. I have known them since we were young. They are more than just my men. They are the only ones who have stood with me through everything.
Samuel is the youngest mayor in the country. People love him. He has money, power, and a daughter named Adriana. He built his life from nothing.
Darren carries his past like a shadow. His entire family was killed in one night, and he saw it happen. He only survived with his younger sibling. I met him in a hospital after I was shot. He gave blood for me and stood between me and the men who came to finish the job.
Xavier used to work with Interpol. Now he walks his own path. He does not care about women or men. He prefers being alone, climbing mountains, chasing silence.
“Calling all of us here means something is wrong,” Samuel said, leaning back in his seat.
I looked at them.
“The drug trade in Asia is causing problems,” I said. “It is affecting our weapons business. TR is using it as a cover to bring the police to our port. While attention is there, they steal from us.”
Xavier gave a small smile. “So you want me to clean it up.”
I nodded. “I know you will handle it better than I would.”
He let out a short laugh. “I would rather blow everything up and turn them against each other. That way, they will not touch us again.”
I turned to Darren.
“Anyone selling children or young women dies,” I said. “Anyone who breaks my rules dies.”
That is how I run things.
I did not choose this life. But I carry it because people depend on me. Because if I step back, everything falls apart.
Most of what I run is not illegal, no matter what people think. But I do not forgive betrayal. And I do not answer to anyone. That is enough to make governments and other groups nervous.
“Your wife,” Darren said, watching me closely. “That is not Zaria.”
Samuel let out a quiet laugh.
“So you finally found out where your wife went,” he said. “Should I kill the real one, or do you prefer to keep this new one?”
“Let her live,” I said. “She gave me my son. That is enough.”
“And the fake one?” Darren asked.
“She is mine to deal with.”
Samuel smiled like he found this entertaining.
“You are generous,” he said. “Your wife runs off with another man, and you let her go. Or maybe she was a problem, and this one is better.”
Darren laughed. “Zaria trapped you once. Let us see if her twin can do the same.”
“If you get bored of her, pass her to us,” Samuel added.
Darren’s smile turned darker. “I want to see what she is like. If Dante no longer needs her, I will kill her myself.”
“If Dante does not need her, she dies,” I said.
It is simple. People fear my name for a reason. Not just because of money or power. Because I decide who lives and who does not.
“I will rest for a few days,” I said. “Send me updates from every region.”
Darren leaned forward slightly. “You need a woman, Rowan. I can arrange that.”
I looked at him. He did not look away. He never does.
“Get out,” I said.
They all smiled like they got what they came for.
“I am going climbing,” Xavier said as he stood. “Do not call me unless it matters.”
“If I need someone who kills without asking questions, I will call you,” I replied.
Darren smirked. “Try not to get shot again.”
Samuel shook his head. “And do not bring trouble into my city. That applies to all of you.”
They left one after the other. The room went quiet again. We built everything we have together. We survived things most people would not understand.
They follow me because I protect what is theirs. Their families live well because of me. But if any of them cross the line, I will end it myself. That is the rule. I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes for a moment.
I do not care about women. I never have. Not even my wives. The only people who matter to me are my children. They are the only thing I would never risk. And now there is a stranger in my house pretending to be their mother.
