Raven had fucked up bad, so fucking bad.
What if Sebastian was the one wanting the throne? The Drago Mafia had a nice name to it.
“Raven!” Carlos snapped her name, pulling her out of her thoughts.
“I’ll be right outside this door. Shout me if you need me.” Raven stepped around the desk and made sure to keep Sebastian in her sights until she got to the main door. Stepping outside, she was aware of the soldiers keeping watch.
With her back to the door, she stood perfectly still, prepared to hurt anyone who thought they could get the best of her. All these men before her could be a suspect.
“Let’s see what you’re made of, Raven, and just how long you last. The moment you fall, Ava’s all mine.”
She didn’t know why she thought of Creed at that moment. Ever since she had taken that beating, Smokey had been different with her. The whole club had been different. She knew it was bad, and she had been close to death by the time the club was there to save her. It also wasn’t lost on her that it had been Carlos who carried her out of that nightmare, who took her to the hospital, and who made sure she was in a private room away from everyone else. He didn’t have to do that, but he did. Why? None of it made sense.
Why did she all of a sudden wish to be in the room with Carlos, protecting him, rather than outside, away?
****
“What is going on?” Sebastian asked.
Carlos sat back in his seat and watched the large man try to contain his anger. He seemed completely surprised when he mentioned that someone had attempted to kill him. “You tell me. Were you aware of someone trying to kill me?”
“We’re back to this? Where you no longer trust me?”
He shrugged. “You tell me, Sebastian. Think of how you’d react if you were in my shoes.”
The other man sighed and then nodded. “You’re right. I would hold the man who put me on the throne as the main suspect.”
“Especially when everyone knows that you have what it takes to be the Boss!” Carlos pressed his fingers together, resting his elbows on the arms of his chair.
“You don’t have to understand my reasoning, Carlos. I have no interest in sitting in that chair. I see the bigger picture.”
“And what is the bigger picture?” Carlos asked. Many men would kill for this seat. There was a great deal of power and wealth to be had, and Carlos knew a lot of greedy men in the world.
“I had no choice but to sit back and watch as Garofalo nearly destroyed us all.”
“I could destroy us.”
“No, you care too much. Our strength is important to you. Garofalo was about insult, about destruction and greed. By meeting with Smokey, and being willing to acquire the Hell’s Bastards MC as allies, for me, you passed the test.”
“I wasn’t part of any test,” Carlos said.
“Maybe not to you, but to me, I knew you were the right man for the job. I’m not designed to take that seat, Carlos. I am a damn good underboss, and I will do everything in my power to protect and guide you.”
Carlos stared at the man before him. “I don’t believe you.”
Sebastian sighed. “Do you know how many men I’ve seen go crazy on the few specks of power they’ve been granted? Being the Boss is the ultimate power. You have all of us in the palm of your hand, and it is up to you if you destroy us or … take care of us. I’ve seen you thrive, Carlos. Given only the small crumb of a city, made a complimentary capo, you never abused your power. I’ve kept an eye on every single capo under Garofalo’s leadership, and now you, trust me, you were the best man for the job. Your men are loyal to you. People respect you. They trust you, and that is the kind of leader we all need.”
“And you don’t think you’re suited for the job?” Carlos asked. “To be given this shot? After everything you have had to deal with to get here?”
The other man laughed. “No, I don’t. I fear I … the power, I would be drunk on it, and I’d abuse it. I’d become something that would stop me from being able to look in the mirror and not like. This is the only way it would ever work. I have never wanted that job.”
Carlos didn’t know if he admired Sebastian for admitting the truth. “How do you know?”
“In the days after Garofalo’s death, I had to deal with the fallout, and as I did, it required me to make decisions. I felt that power within the palm of my hand, and yes, I started to get … drunk on it. I vowed that I would never turn into something like him or anyone I despised. I’m designed to make kings, Carlos, not be one. I had nothing to do with this failed hit, but I do intend to find out. What we don’t need at a time like this is Raven. MCs are volatile.”