Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,119

it?”

Dean nodded and pulled a silver .357 Magnum revolver from inside his suit jacket. I took it and opened the cylinder, finding it fully loaded. Pleased, I stuffed the gun into the back waistband of my slacks and pulled my suit jacket over the top half, hiding it.

“The other leaders will have their enforcers there. Seeing as I don’t have an enforcer of my own, you will stand in.”

Dean only let his surprise show for a second. I had already filled Asher in on the plan. He was going to stand in the hall with Stefan’s security to hold Samuel’s and Dylan’s security out. Stefan’s personal security, along with the rest of the security in the house, were already on alert for what was going to go down. Dylan and hopefully Samuel, if I played my cards right, would be forcibly removed from their positions in this family.

I had tiny butterflies fluttering in my stomach as I approached the chamber. I knew I was going to be the last to arrive. I'd planned on it. Passing the goon squad and Asher standing along the walls of the hallway, I steeled my nerves and waited for Dean to open the door for me to enter. Let the games begin.

The rumbling of men talking trickled into the hallway once the door was opened. With squared shoulders and my darkness taking the reins, I stepped into the room.

Like it had seven years ago, silence blanketed the room and heads turned as my presence was noticed. I had entered through the east door behind Stefan’s chair at the head of the table. To his right sat Samuel, then Conor, then Dylan. To his left sat Jamie, then Rourke, then Louie, leaving the Prionsa’s chair, the other head of the table, empty. Six enforcers stood along the walls. Three on the left and three on the right side of the room. I didn’t recognize most of them. I assumed who they belonged to was who they stood behind. How I came to that conclusion was Mark, who was standing behind Dylan.

Without stopping and Dean following in tow, I walked behind my uncles and Dylan to the other end of the room.

“Gentlemen,” I greeted as I strutted like I was walking a fucking runway. At the other end of the table, I pulled out the Prionsa’s chair and took a seat. “I hope I’m not late,” I asked Stefan.

Stefan’s face was void of what he was feeling as he regarded me. “Right on time.”

I leaned back in my chair and glanced around the table. Jamie was predictably expressionless, but I'd caught his eyes traveling up and down my body, taking in my attire, when I'd first entered the room. Rourke looked surprised to see me, as did Louie, but the moment my eyes met his, he looked away. We needed to talk about last night. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one affected.

To my left sat Dylan. He had what the fuck is she doing here written all over his face. My poor uncle Conor looked from me to Samuel and sighed. Last but not least was my uncle Samuel, who pursed his lips, openly frowning. “What are you doing here?” he questioned.

I smiled. “I’m here to attend the family meeting, silly.” I flicked my eyes to Stefan. “Does the Ri have an issue with the Banphrionsa attending today’s meeting?”

The corner of Stefan’s mouth twitched before he steeled himself. “I don’t,” he said.

Knowing Samuel was going to argue, I beat him to the punch. “Perfect! Shall we begin? Uncle Conor, why don’t you start? I’d love to hear how much our family has made recently selling guns.” Conor’s brows rose, surprised. “Or should I ask Rourke, as he’s really the salesman?” Rourke smiled and looked across the table to his father.

“Conor?” Stefan said, urging Conor to begin.

Pretty much everything Conor and then Rourke said didn’t reach my ears. It took lot of will power not to look at Mark. I wondered if he recognized me. I risked a quick peek. He appeared beyond bored as he leaned against the wall. Who was I kidding? I'd been wearing a wig and my tits had been out the entire time. He'd probably never even seen my face.

When Conor and Rourke were done talking, Stefan moved the topic of discussion to drugs. Samuel stated things were still rough and there had been another decrease in profits. Stefan asked to see the numbers. Samuel then looked to Dylan, who made a