Deception

Chapter 49 - I Don't Belong Here

~ Silas pov ~

I realised something today; I'm never giving my fucking men another place to hang out.

After our day of busting a rival gang, we gathered here at my old compound. It's been a few years since I last came here only for me to see what these Goddamn animals did to the place.

They tore the dark leather couches, stained the wooden floorboards, and ripped some of the wallpaper off. It looks like an abandoned vampire lounge, but I needed to go somewhere that invoked nostalgia.

Somewhere that reminded me of who I was before she wrecked my life.

Just me, a handful of my men and some of my cousins including Renzo, who won't stop spitting out his unfunny jokes.

I throw another dart to the board, and sink down in my place on the couch. Laughter erupts around the room from the men gathered around the bar, howling at something Renzo says. I'd be there too, but I'm the the only one in here sober and not insane.

"You think about it yet?" Cousin Lombardo sits himself on the couch near mine, resting his arm along the back of it. "The weekend's coming up."

I throw another dart. "Not in the mood to leave the city."

"You agreed-"

"Not anymore. Don't mention Chicago to me again."

His mouth presses into a thin line and he pushes the butt of his cigarette against the already ruined couch. Lombardo knows not to pester me about it again, so he keeps silent. Unlike my other cousin.

"Its because his wife left him!" Renzo bursts out. As the chatter around the room cuts dead, I lift my head to look at Renzo sitting on the bar. His smile fades a little upon meeting my eyes, but I'm not holding anything against him. He was born an idiot.

The silence goes on long as he avoids my gaze and looks at the bar table. Long enough for me to hear one somebody else's remark. "She's a dumb bitch anyway."

My eyes snap onto the men with disbelief. I think I'm dreaming cause nobody in this room is stupid, or so I thought.

I only scan the crowd for a second to figure out who's voice that was, before the men around him stare him down, nudging him for his words. Once he realises I've seen him he swallows.

"Why have you all gone silent?" I ask, picking up my glass on the armrest and swirling the golden liquid. "I'm amused, so laugh."

But nobody does. A few minutes pass of a stinging quiet, and I set my glass down before standing. They all straighten at my move, and I head across the dark room towards the man who spoke, who sits on a barstool with his hands in a knot in his lap. I don't know his name, I don't care either.

Before I stop in front of him he slides off his stool and stands submissively, his eyes darting around. Face tight with fear as if he's prepared for the punishment.

"What did I say? Laugh." I demand. Some of the men force themselves to fake laugh, and when they see my expression relax, the tension eases a little.

The man before me starts to loosen up, releasing a breath thinking I was joking before I grab the crowbar I'd long spotted against the bar, and whack it against his side.